"I should probably talk to them," Rift states, rising from where we crouch observing the two.

"What?" I squeak, grasping him by the wrist. "Why?"

"Mother didn't tell me they still were breathing, and I need to know what is going on," Rift says gruffly, leaving out a cuss word, I suppose because he's in the royal presence. He points. "See those barrels? They contain raw arlite."

"So they are smugglers?" I ask, wondering what Rift has to do with them and why he's telling me about what looks like illegal dealing.

"What are you going to do?" I ask.

"Ask them a few questions, but you stay hidden," Rift orders, "I don't want you getting mixed up in this."

I nod earnestly and practically hold my breath as Rift leaves our hiding place and approaches the pair of smugglers.

"Evening gents," Rift says casually.

The gobli's claws are on his weapon. "Rift," he spits out the name.

The man's face drains to ashen. His eyes widen, and he takes his weapon from his holster and drops it on the ground. It lands on the jungle floor leaves softly. "My lord, what are you doing here?"

My lord? I lean in a little further since my ears are more sensitive than normal humans.

"Coward," The more stubborn gobli grumbles at the man.

"I'm taking my lady on a romantic venture," Rift states, "But I can't have a proper rendezvous with you two ruining the view, can I?"

My cheeks flush.

"I'll have you know it was your mother who sent us," the gobli growls, stepping forward and drawing his weapon. "Come now. We know romance is the last thing on your mind."

"Shut it," Rift growls back, his eyes glowing.

Huh?

I know I'm not mistaken since the jungle is darkened at night.

"Drop your weapon, Dundin, and put your hand over your mouth," Rift orders.

Dundin's weapon drops, and he puts his hand over his mouth.

"Loper, where is Hassan?" Rift shifts his burning amber gaze to the man.

"He couldn't make it tonight," Loper answers. "He sent us."

"I'll take care of this arlite," Rift states. "And I'll also take the elafont. Return to Hassan and tell him we need to talk. We can do it without trouble or with, but it depends on him."

"Yes, sir," Loper says, bowing his head. He and Dundin turn and leave, Dundin still holding his hand over his mouth.

The whole exchange has left me shivering, my body wanting to change and take my less vulnerable form. Something isn't right about all this. A creepy feeling that I should be warier of Rift than Loper or Dundin shivers through me. Should I flee?

Rift motions a hand at me after the two are out of sight, and I uncertainly step from my hiding place.

"What is going on?" I ask.

"What do you mean?" Rift opens a barrel and inspects the tainted arlite inside. The elafont doesn't appear perturbed and uses its trunk to pluck some leaves from a nearby tree. Rift pats its side.

I'm not sure if Rift knows just how incredible my hearing is, but I decide not to tell him. "How did you get them to leave so fast?" I ask, instead.

"You think you're the only one with special gifts?" Rift asks, his eyes meeting mine, and fire burns behind them for less than a second. He wants me to know about this. Whatever this is.

"What are you?" I ask, narrowing my eyes and studying him.

"I'm a lot like you, Kyla," Rift explains and smiles with a mystery behind it, "A human born with unique talents."

"Why do you want to speak with Hassan?" I ask.

"Ah, an eavesdropper, I see. I knew you were listening!" Rift laughs. "I love it." However, he doesn't answer my question and continues to inspect the barrels.

"Do I need to be afraid? Are you going to hurt me?" I ask, taking a step away from him. "Why did that Dundin fellow say romance would be the last thing on your depraved mind?"

"You really were listening well," Rift says causally, and he walks over to me and puts his hands on my shoulders, "Dundin doesn't like me, Kyla. Why would he say anything nice to me?"

"Okay, I get that," I say, but I'm uneasy. My skin prickles at his touch, and I glance around the waterfall's clearing for a fast exit.

"Look, Kyla, this whole exchange... unfortunately, we came upon them, but you don't have to hold this against me or think of it as a reason to stop seeing me."

"I hardly know you," I state.

How stupid am I for letting my attraction for someone blind me into trusting them enough to open up to them?

"You're right, but I'd love to get to know you better," Rift says, "I feel something with you, and I want to see if it goes anywhere."

"I want that, too," I whisper, angry at myself for my desires that don't go with my mind. "But I am a princess. I have responsibilities. If you're a criminal, I can't pretend I don't notice it."

"I'll admit, my upbringing wasn't something that would make you or anyone proud. I haven't always been a good guy, but that doesn't make me a bad guy. I quit the smuggler's ring a long time ago."

"Excuse me while I throw up in my mouth," I grumble at his statement, knowing full well the smuggler's ring is not a group of people you want to consort with. The members we've happened upon had a love for violence.

"But I'm not working with Hassan anymore. See? I've got the tainted arlite right here. You can even take it back to the palace facility where they originally got it from," Rift says.

"And what will I say when they ask me where I got it?" I snap. I know my eyes are red, and I don't care. He's got abilities, well, I do too, and I want him to remember that.

"You'll tell them you found it in the jungle while flying by the waterfall. You don't need to say more, you can if you want never to see me again, but I think you should see me again... I think we should see each other more because I understand you, Kyla. I'm different like you, and there is something between us I want to explore."

"Is it really like that?" I ask him. "I am attracted to you, and you seem to be okay with the fact that I'm a Cursed. But does that mean I should keep seeing you? Your mother hates me, obviously. You've worked with crooks, and from what I can tell, you have the ability to control people's minds."

"Only people with weak minds," Rift says with a shrug.

"Ah, so you can! That freaks me out! What if I have a weak mind?"

"Kyla, you're a Cursed. I can't control your mind even if I wanted to," Rift says, "Besides, you're far too stubborn."

"How do I know?" I exclaim. "How can you say stuff like that?"

"I was just joking," Rift gives me an apologetic grin.

"I'll return the arlite."

"Sure, but can I keep the elafont?" Rift asks, walking over to the creature. "I think it likes me."

"Rift, that would be stealing!" I object.

Rift gives me a helpless look, but when he sees I can't be moved, he rolls his eyes. "Okay, go ahead and take it to the palace."

"Fine, keep the elafont," I say with a sigh, completely shocked that I'm letting him. "But if you want to see me again, that is the last thing you're going to do illegally."

Rift claps his hands together and grins. "Great! Let's get this stuff back to the palace, and then you and I can go back to the waterfall and have our romantic venture together."

"Let's keep it at friends for now," I mutter. "You'll find I'm not available for romance at present."