Leanna let out a breath, finally free from Krinard's gaze as he turned narrowed eyes to an approaching Finvarra. His nostrils flared as if the invading scent of vanilla bleeding through the paraffin sickened him.

"So now you show your face," he hissed in disgust. "Where were you when Inara was taken?"

Reaching them, Finvarra gazed at the gathered group. His lips drew to a tight line. Leanna moistened her lips at the sight. With painful clarity she recalled how warm his eyes had been when staring into hers as he drew closer, intentions of a kiss from those lips warming the air between them...

Now, there was just ice and indifference. Leanna lowered her lashes and rubbed her upper arms against a shiver that sprouted goose bumps down her skin.

"Tomas tracked hoofmarks leading out past the tent, beyond the crystals," Finvarra revealed carefully. "They were Inara's tracks alone, and so I have no reason to believe she was taken. Rather, she has gone willingly."

"Rubbish! She of all would not leave the safety of the crystals, knowing of the dangers. It was her doing!" Krinard stabbed a threatening finger toward Leanna. "First she drove away Inara's magic and now she has driven her away to her death. Even you cannot be so blind as to not see this! She is supposed to be the death of you, but she schemes to be the death of us all! "

There was meaning in his words, but Leanna was as exhausted as she was frustrated, and could not decipher them. Not there. Not then. Not when confusion from the prior night hurt her soul. When dancing from the previous practice hurt her body. When Krinard's accusations hurt most of all, as only the truth could. Under the pressure of Krinard's anger, of Finvarra's indifference... under guilt of Inara's disappearance, an exasperated Leanna stepped out from behind Kioyo. She braved Krinard's wrath with ire of her own. She'd stood up to her Papa, and Mr. Weston owned many horses. She would not remain silent and falter to this centaur.

"You say fear drives out magic, but what of pride? You did this!" She speared a finger toward him. Hers did not tremble. "You and your boorish conceit led her away. And her magic? You're guilty of that as well! Your anger for Finvarra is stifling it, dousing it, and it is because of that that she has fled! Yes, I was there last night," Leanna turned the finger to her own heart. "I comforted her; I let her pour out her soul to me with no judgment—with no fear. A fear she feels because of you. And yes, perhaps I could have chosen my words more wisely, but it changes nothing."

Kioyo put a hand on her arm. Leanna jerked away, anger pushing the words from her mouth. "She was tired and couldn't bear to stand, much less ride. These crystals imprisoned her, while your anger was poisoning her. So I told her to ride for herself in spite of you." Leanna turned her gaze and stared fiercely into Finvarra's icy pools. "In spite of you both." This time, Leanna did not lower her eyes. She slid them evenly between Finvarra and Krinard, lastly fixing on Krinard's black pits, grinding her words into his mind with her stare.

Krinard's jaw clenched, as did his fists, but it was he who dropped his gaze away first, toward Finvarra. Stalking past him, he stopped right beside him, shoulder to shoulder. His back muscles tightened as he turned his head to Finvarra's profile. "I am going to find her, and you better hope I do, for the sake of your precious muse." Krinard made to leave—

A pale hand on his shoulder halted his retreat.

Finvarra turned his head, meeting Krinard, stare for vicious stare. "You will do no such thing. You are not leaving these crystals alone."

Krinard appeared to turn to ice at Finvarra's touch, his body growing stiff with violence. He looked to Finvarra's hand, and then lifted a dark glare to the man he used to call friend. He swiveled sharply out of Finvarra's hold. "Sovereign or not, Fionnbharr, you will not stop me."

The air sweltered, a war of fire and ice. Frantic glances were cast around the group, knowing this could end very badly. Leanna bit her lip, forcing herself to remain silent. She could not let them fight, but Finvarra was right. Her meddling only brought trouble. Though she earnestly wished to tell them to stop behaving like children, Leanna brought fingers to her mouth, fearing the words would spill out. Wish as she may, she could not meddle in this. She wouldn't.

"I don't mean to stop you." Finvarra shrugged his shoulders coolly to adjust his coat. "I mean to join you." All brows knitted at Finvarra's statement, though Leanna could not fathom why.

Krinard's lips twisted to a scornful, inhuman smile, breaking the icy silence. One hoof beat brought him face to face with Finvarra, dangerously. "You think one act of bravery will pardon you? You already risked all our lives by leaving the crystals in going to get the girl. Now you want to shadow your stupidity with bravery?"

Confusion washed over Leanna's face, a fierce blush quickly fading into pale misery. She didn't know whether to be angry and call Finvarra a fool at having risked his life—the lives of all those in the circus when getting her, or whether feel appreciative and call him brave for having come for her... or be sad and call herself a fool for believing he'd done it for reasons other than his selfish gain.

Krinard took a step back. "No, I'll take my chances alone. If Machina takes you, she lock you up in an iron cage and we'll never be free of these damned rings. I refuse to be stranded in this realm forever." He turned.

"I am not looking for pardon. This isn't about me—"

Krinard spun savagely on his hoofs, a wild look in his eyes. "And since when have you ever cared for anyone else?" Leanna flinched at Krinard's growl, and the fireflies above flickered nervously. "You didn't care about us while bedding girl after defenseless girl, knowing of Machina's jealousy—knowing that the elders were watching!"

"You can call on my past mistakes, but regardless of what I have done, this isn't about me," he said after a stagnant moment. "I will never be forgiven, but if Inara is not found—if she is killed, then neither will any of you. You will never live to see it, and I cannot let that happen. This circus was my punishment. Let me make this right for Inara. Regardless of crystals and hearts, of Machina and curses, it is her I care for."

Krinard gazed at him a moment, a raging storm in his eyes, the lamplights reflected like small flames at their core. He wanted to believe Finvarra's plea, but a bolt of doubt struck his stare. He shook his head solemnly, and the anger in his eyes was eclipsed by a touch of pity. Worse, by a look saying that it was too late. "At a time I may have believed that," he said low, defeated. "But sadly the only true illusion in this circus, Fionnbharr, is you having a heart."

The air stilled. Finvarra bristled, but said nothing. He did not blink, did not move. He only stood tall and withstood Krinard's scorn with grace and beauty. After a moment, he lowered his eyes.

Leanna's heart clenched at Krinard's words, but it was the wavering look in his eyes that broke her heart. Saying those words to Finvarra hurt Krinard most of all. After all the years of anger, here at the bitter end of their friendship, clearly he still felt for his friend. No wonder Inara's horn had fallen, Leanna lamented. Seeing them quarrel this way—seeing their friendship overcome by mistakes and pain was agonizing, even for an onlooker. Had Leanna a horn, she was sure it would have dissolved.

Krinard tramped back to leave. He jerked his head for the remaining horsemen to join him. A grim quiet settled over the group. Tomas and Bertrand lowered their eyes while Kioyo shook his head, watching the three horsemen break from Finvarra's side. It was a mistake and Leanna half expected the gentle cries of a violin to accompany the death of a friendship, and eventually the death of them all.

Finvarra's fingers curled into fists at his side, intent marking a line on his brow. He wanted to say something. Others may not have seen it, but Leanna knew his mask with some knowledge now. She clutched her skirt, fighting to keep her mouth shut as her heart beat to the horsemen's hoofbeats. She would not meddle!

The horsemen met Krinard, and Finvarra's firm knuckles grew paler as he clenched his fists tighter. They all turned toward the tent door and Finvarra's lips parted. Only a cloudy breath whirled at his mouth. He shut his lips against it and turned, walking away in the opposite direction.

Krinard walked east, Finvarra west, and at center, Leanna trembled. Things couldn't stay this way! Finvarra had to speak his mind—his heart, and Krinard had to listen! But she said she wouldn't meddle. She simply couldn't medd—

"Bertrand," she said, and rushed beside him before she realized she was speaking. "You must stall Krinard. Make something up—about Inara's tracks, or about—"

"Ah, smart girl! Don't worry your pretty head, my dear. I'm on it." With a wink, Bertrand ran off, calling after Krinard. At once, Leanna left a perplexed Kioyo to watch her rush after Finvarra. She said she wouldn't meddle, but oh, she had to!

Thankfully, both men were too prideful to walk away hurriedly, and so their retreat was slow and confident. She reached Finvarra quickly and caught his arm in a tight hold. Finvarra whirled to her, but before he'd a chance to speak, Leanna said, "Whatever it is you must say—say it, before it's too late. Don't let him go. They may die out there without you—you know this!" She did. She felt it in her soul.

Finvarra glanced over her shoulder, his lips pursing, undoubtedly at seeing Bertrand delaying Krinard. "Don't you think your meddling has caused me enough problems, Miss Weston?"

"I meddle, but at least it's because I care!" Leanna released his arm, both hands gathering at her chest, hoping he felt her when she confessed, "I can't just stand by and say nothing when I know with all my heart you are making a mistake. This circus is all I have now. It is my home, beside all of them, beside you. I must meddle."

Blue eyes pierced her, pale under the soft glow of the fireflies. He took in her words and looked back to Krinard. "It'll make no difference. I've spoken to him. He refuses to listen to reason." The muscles of his jaw clenched. "If he decides to leave, let him. I'm heartless, remember? If he wishes to lose his life to his stubborn pride then so be it. "

"Not until you've said all that needs to be said. If you don't tell him this now, he may die and never hear it. Whatever your mistakes of the past are, don't let this be one of them. And no, I don't remember you being heartless. All I remember..." Leanna paused, her cheeks grew warm. "All I remember was my hand upon your heart, and your heartbeat beneath my fingers..."

To hide her furious blush, Leanna turned a quick glance to Bertrand. Krinard was walking away from him. In meeting Leanna's eye, Bertrand shrugged. He'd done all he could, and now Krinard was closer to the curtain. Closer to leaving. If he left...

Desperate, Leanna placed an open palm over Finvarra's heart. Finvarra stiffened as if branded by her touch. His eyes shot to her in shock, but Leanna gave him no time to deny her—there was no time! "I still feel it, and it is no illusion." Leanna nodded encouragingly, and let her hand slip away from the timbre of his heart. "Please say it... for Inara."

After an eternal second, Finvarra slid his gaze to Krinard who lifted a hand to part the dressing tent curtains—

"I apologize," Finvarra said, his gruff voice echoing in the stark silence. Not sound was heard after it faded. Not a breath. Not a hoof beat...

Tomas and Bertrand looked to one another, Bertrand's amber brow arching. Beside them, Kioyo gazed at Finvarra wide-eyed and unblinking. Leanna knew then, Finvarra had never apologized before. Not to Krinard. Not to anyone. Not for anything.

Krinard's hand dropped lifeless from the crimson fabric. A moment and he turned to Finvarra slowly. His face was hardened, but surprise accentuated his features. Pride cast aside, Finvarra closed the distance between them as everyone, from the horsemen to the musicians, watched on in awe, in silence. Leanna gave Finvarra his space, following until reaching Kioyo.

Now standing before Krinard's piercing gaze, he added. "Our feud led Inara away; our anger robbed her of her magic, and I accept my blame. For that... for everything, I am sorry." Finvarra hauled in a breath. Exhaling, he held out his hand. "We will find her, together."

Krinard gazed down at Finvarra's outstretched hand, and then into the eyes of this heartless man whose illusionary heart had just taken its first real beat. Doubt still marred him, but with a single nod, Krinard met Finvarra's wrist, wrapping a strong hand around it, just as Finvarra did to him. It was a curious exchange, but wrist in wrist; they smothered whatever animosity previously existed, if only for the sake of finding Inara.

Tomas and Bertrand neared them, joining the gathered horsemen that looked on with stone faces, but a glimmer in their eyes. Leanna trailed behind with Kioyo, joining the semi-circle.

Releasing one another, Krinard and Finvarra turned to the waiting group. Leanna's throat swelled at the sight, her vision growing blurry. Beside Krinard, Finvarra was the moon. Beside Finvarra, Krinard was the sun. Respectively, they ruled the skies. But now, with their brotherhood bridging them together, they looked capable of conquering the world. No doubt Inara's horn would have grown had she seen the two men she loved cast aside their differences for her sake.

Krinard cleared his throat as if to fill the awkward silence, while Finvarra straightened the knot of his cravat—a perfectly straight cravat.

"Well then," Finvarra said, then clearing his own throat. Leanna pressed fingers to her lips, stifling a giggle. Men were such curious creatures.

Finvarra took a gold timepiece from his pocket. Looking down, he frowned. "We haven't much night left, but it will have to be enough for now." He returned the watch to his pocket. "We should be able to search uninterrupted until daylight, at which, depending on our success, I will go and visit the Constable—"

"The Constable? Don't tell me you plan on involving more mortals," Krinard countered. "Look at what trouble we're in for just one of them."

Leanna pursed her lips.

Though he did not look at her, she felt Finvarra's piercing gaze burning her in his peripheral vision. "As true as that may be, we must find Inara without magic. The winds blew away my trace when I came yesterday, but for all of us to be out there—it will be impossible to dissipate it all. It will only alert Machina that we search for something, and her goons will overtake the forest watching, waiting to strike. We cannot afford to have her trailing us. We need them. We do not know how long Inara has been gone, and time is vital."

Krinard shook his head. "Tomas can track her—"

"I must stay here. I am the only one that can hold off Machina if Inara is..." Tomas paused, swallowing. "If the crystals fail."

"But without you, we haven't an idea of which way she went," Krinard rallied. Everyone began speaking at once.

Kioyo stepped out from beside Leanna. "What of me, Ringmaster? I can track her." All chatter ceased at the sound of his voice.

A strangled sound exploded from Krinard's mouth, somewhere between an angry scoff and a derisive sneer. "What for? No one needs a coward who will leave us to die at first signs of danger—"

"Krinard." Finvarra tossed him a warning scowl, holding up a hand as if to detain the hurtful words. It was too late. The damage was done. Kioyo's eyes dimmed, his body tense with offense.

Finvarra lowered his hand. "I need you to stay here, Kioyo."

"But I am the fastest, my senses impeccable," Kioyo turned a firm glare to Krinard. "Especially next to a horses." He said to Finvarra, "You need me."

"I do need you, which is why you must stay. Inara or not, we must open in two days and Miss Weston must be ready. I need someone I can trust to guard her as well. Tomas has enough to worry about, and he can't keep an eye on her as well."

Leanna crossed her arms over her chest, mulish. "I am not a child, and do not need to be watched."

"You also said that this would be painless." Finvarra turned an even stare to her.

"Yes, well," she cleared her throat, her chin a little higher. "This doesn't have to be painful, which is why I should come as well."

The group turned to Leanna and said nothing, though the answer was as clear as it was simple: No.

"But I know the Constable," she offered archly. "He would sit beside us in church every Sunday, and he is a close friend of my Papa. I can help in persuading him and—"

"And that is no longer your life, remember?" Finvarra reminded her.

Leanna opened her mouth to protest. At that, she shut it. She opened her mouth again, but finding no argument, kept quiet. Leave it to Finvarra to quell an argument so effortlessly. She shifted back beside an equally dejected Kioyo, looking very much like insolent children.

Finvarra began assigning roles at once. Tomas would be left in charge of the circus operations until his return. Bertrand was to send his dragons to patrol the grounds. "Ben will send word for everyone to be on guard. Everyone must be alert. If Inara is harmed and the crystals fail, we may not know until it is too late..." Palpable dread settled over the group. Inara had to be found.

"Gather what you need. We leave at once." With a firm nod, the crowd took their cue. The horsemen galloped off, as did Bertrand and Tomas. Finvarra watched them go a moment before turning to motionless Kioyo.

"This isn't about your mistakes in the past. We've all made them. I trust you and need you here. Guard her with your life."

"Yes, Ringmaster," Kioyo murmured lowly, dejected, but did not look at Finvarra. Instead he focused on the doorway all others had just vanished through—all others, but not him. Shaking his head, Kioyo turned his back on Finvarra and Leanna, walking to the nearest ring. Deep in thought, Kioyo sat down on the edge and leaned forward, elbows onto knees. Looking down at the sawdust, he said no more.

Finvarra's sights remained on a crestfallen Kioyo who plucked his thumbs together in a quiet song while shaking his head in disagreement. Leanna's heart hurt for him. He would keep her safe, but it didn't make her feel the least bit better.

Finvarra let out a breath, but of sympathy or helplessness, Leanna wasn't sure. "He'll keep you safe... that is if you manage to stop meddling and stay out of trouble."

Leanna's pulse quickened. The last she needed now was his reproach—especially after Krinard's! She slid him an incredulous look, expecting to find scold. When blue eyes fell upon her, all expectations shattered. With part of his centuries old agony dispelled, the dark waves Leanna remembered in Finvarra's stormy eyes were replaced by tamer seas. And beneath the icy waters, ran warm currents of gratitude.

"Though," he said low and soft, for her ears only, "I suppose some good has come of your meddling this time."

Leanna's cheeks flushed at the taunt in his eyes and at the warm appreciation beneath it all. It made his eyes a little lighter... a little more welcoming. And when he looked at her like that, the world around them vanished.

If only it wasn't so easy to get lost in his eyes, Leanna would have appreciated his effort at thanking her. If letting them drag her away wasn't so tempting, she might have said you're welcome. But with Kioyo's words playing at the edge of her conscience, Leanna's smile faded. She slid her foot back, her weight following. At this, the muscles in Finvarra's jaw tightened. Slowly, all gratitude ran dry, leaving only blue frost.

Leanna shivered. "You should go... Inara or not, the circus must open, right?" Not waiting for another reaction, Leanna lowered her eyes against his direct stare and walked to Kioyo's side. She would not fall under Finvarra's spell. She couldn't. Not again...

He's dangerous, her mind whispered.

He is, her heart agreed, but his eyes...

Yes, his eyes. The eyes were the window to the soul, her mother always said. In Finvarra's eyes, Leanna had seen his unspoken appreciation... hadn't she? Leanna slowed to a stop. Could she believe him, just this once? She turned to gauge his sincerity. All she saw was Finvarra's lean outline vanish through the curtains.

He never looked back.

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Thank you for reading! Your votes and comments are greatly appreciated :)

Song for the chapter: Verse for Forgiveness by Hammock