I hold my breath as he approaches. His intense and inevitable gaze picking me apart inch by inch. I remain silent, staring at his set jaw, and collection of wrinkles around his eyes and above his brow. His hair is a charcoal brown, filled with specks a ash white and he is tall with a lean figure. Undoubtedly he is handsome for his age, but doesn't look anything like Alaric.

I glance over his shoulder to witness Alaric sitting promptly on his fathers throne. His father's eyes follow mine back to Alaric. He scoffs before lightly slapping him on his shoulder. "You're a idiot Alaric."

Alaric's eyes widen and he rests a hand over his heart. "Hurtful words father, and I thought you were here to make fun of Jean."

"Make fun of Jean?" Alaric's father smiles and turns back to me. "A beautiful woman of her status should be respected and beloved by all who meets her."

"Are you trying to smooth talk her?" Alaric asks dumbfounded.  "That's my job!"

I crack a smile and Alaric try's to stand up, but his father pushes him back down. Taking a few long strides towards me and bows before taking my hand and kissing the top of it.

"Apparently the apple does not fall far from the tree," I pull my hand away from his and straighten my back. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Alaric's father hinges back up and winks, "the pleasure is all mine."

Alaric, fed up with his father scoots between us. "I'd appreciate it if you could keep your hands to yourself Windsor. Jean doesn't like to be touched."

"Touched by you maybe," Alaric's father, leans over to take another look at me. "You have a lot of practice to do before you can swoon this lady."

It's clear to me now, the two may look nothing alike, but Alaric has a learned habit from his father, Windsor. Alaric is definitely  his son.

"Alaric," Windsor takes a step away and a serious, powerful aura fills the room. "Can you give me a moment alone with Jean?"

Alaric glances back to me and I nod. Without any question he slides over to the door and leaves. Windsor's abrupt seriousness took both of us by surprise, but I fake some confidence to put Alaric at ease.

Windsor walks back to his throne and sits. Resting his elbows on his knees and his heart in his hands. Venerability and trust oozes out of him. "My son has spoken highly of you. He trusts you more then he trusts his own army. That means a lot for a man like himself, and it's is a lot of weight to put on you."

"I don't mind it," I stare at him. What is he trying to pry out of me?

"Do you trust Alaric?" Windsor asks tilting his head. "Are you honest with my son?"

He knows something and I have to figure out what it is. Cautiously and I cross my arms and tighten my gaze into a glare. "What are you trying to get at Windsor?"

"I know you came from underneath our feet. You are apart of the Immunis, are you not?"

My heart slips from my chest cavity to my feet. The choice to lie or tell the truth chaining my heart to the ground. I remain silent and stare into his eyes which adjust from my eyes to his hands.

"I won't tell Alaric." Windsor finally snaps the tension. I shut my eyes and let go of the breath I was holding. "But, you have to tell him at one point or another. You need to trust him as much as he does you."

I nod my head and turn my eyes away. "I don't want him to bail on the agreement we've arranged just because I'm apart of the Immunis."

"He won't, unless you remain quite and keep this secret. I understand why you have not told anyone, if I were you I'm not sure I would." Windsor stands up and strolls towards me. "On the other hand everyday you keep this information from him. Everyday day you withdraw yourself further from my son. It hurts him. I do not like to see my son in pain, as any father wouldn't. Honesty and trust come hand in hand."

I feel like a child again, getting scolded for something I know I shouldn't have done. Windsor is giving me the opportunity to be open now and I must take it. "I understand... but I need to go back to the Bellator Clan to save my people and a dear friend of mine. If I don't do it soon, I might not have anyone to save."

"Lady is a vile woman," Windsor grits his teeth. "I have  been burned by her wrath. You may leave tomorrow on a rescue mission, but it will take longer to save more people who don't want to be saved."

"I'm sorry?" I ask shocked and stricken by his words.

"Do you remember John?"

"John? How could I forget." I growl. "He's the man who betrayed me, who said I killed a man, who sacrificed me to save the Immunis. He's the man who tried to kill me!"

"Yes," Windsor sighs. "Him and Lady have gotten cozy lately and now he's turned into the criminal mastermind himself. He's convinced the Immunis that you are toxic and must be killed on sight. He's manipulated them into believing that they are safe when theyrethey're not. He's using them for an army of sacrificial lambs."

"How do you know this?" I squeeze my hands into fists, "how do you know John?"

"I have ears and spies everywhere." Windsor rests a hand on my shoulder. "I knew the day you left Stratis, I knew the sacrifices you've made before anyone else did. I know these things as a Clan Leader, and I know one day Alaric will too."

"You're telling me that I should tell Alaric where I'm from before you pass the throne down to him." I sigh and try to forget the stress.

"I am, Alaric's had a tough past. Trust doesn't come easily to him anymore."

"He doesn't act like it." I spout before realizing the scolding tone laced into my voice.

"Looks can be deceiving Jean." Windsor finally removes his eyes off of me and the tension again, fades into the silence.

"I keep hearing about Alaric's past. Him losing someone he loved. How he is scarred, what happened?" I ask.

"That is not for me to share."

"Windsor," I pause and let my hand travel to my arm as it squeezes it. "I have a favour to ask." Windsor remains silent, nodding his head to tell me continue. "You say you have spies, you know things about the Bellator Clan. Maybe about a man who's fighting for the throne?" My mind drifts to a Luke's light brown eyes and dark curly hair. His tanned skin underneath my hands and his heart which pretended to be whole when it wasn't.

"Ah," Windsor nods, "Luke isn't doing much fighting in a jail cell."

"What?" I shout, my heart melting at the sound of his name slipping past the lips of someone else's other than mine. Almost as if Windsor confirmed that he does exist and he's not a figment of my imagination. "Is he okay?"

"You know Luke?" Windsor asks turning to his throne and walking up the few stairs which leads to it.

"You could say that," I try to get my blush under submission. "He saved my life and I believe I owe him a favour to get him out of prison."

"Why would you want to rescue him before your people?" Windsor sets himself on this throne and let's his shoulders fall back.

"Luke wants the same thing as me. Lady off the throne and my people to realize they are pons in John's game. He can help me by taking back his rightful throne. Before you know it I'll be out of your hair and back with the Immunis."

"Getting Luke out of Lady's hands will increase the odds of him claiming his throne. Although, I must ask, why do you act as if you are a burden to us? The Fide Clan cherishes you more than you know."

The guilt of abandoning Luke lessens slightly as I realize the importance of my job at Alaric's side. They don't try to throw me aside and hide me away. They don't give me a separate quarter to sleep and live like I'm infectious.

The Fide Clan need me and trust me. Most importantly, they want me.

"Alaric!" Windsor calls loudly, "you can come in!"

My mind remains shocked at how little it took for me to feel less terrible not having Luke at my side. That I don't need him, I am strong on my own.

The door creaks open and Alaric's eyes shoot to me before staring at his father. "Is everything okay?"

I nod as Windsor clasps his hands together, "yes, but you have a rescue mission tomorrow."

"Rescue?" Alaric asks concern written in his voice, "who?"

"Luke Ambrosa from the Bellator Clan. It has come to my attention that he has significant importance to Jean and those close to her." Windsor stares at me an smiles. "It's about time the Fide Clan brings the Bellator Clan to their knees and let a worthy man lead."

Alaric nods, his face serious as he works out he details in his bright mind. Mesmerized by his willingness to help me without hesitation touches my heart deeper than I'd like to admit.

"You leave tomorrow, I'll let you organize your team and equipment." Windsor stands up and gestures to the door, "dismissed."

Alaric jogs up to his father, wrapping his arms around him. "I'll bring him home safely."