Two weeks had come to pass, and Aesop had left for the Holy Knights Academy. I had done my best to keep my tears behind my closed bedroom door and only told him I was proud of the man he had become as we said our goodbyes. I could only hope the Holy Knights didn't corrupt his gentle soul. After all, it was only a matter of time before someone found out I had the Devil's gifts and then the Church would be coming for me. When that time came, maybe Aesop would be understanding. Maybe he would even help the Church see that I had done nothing wrong.

The sun had just started to chase away the shadows of the night. I laid in bed, rubbing a thumb into my palm, remembering the man in the cloak that day in the alley. There was no way he hadn't felt the shock my magic had caused. I had spent every day since then waiting for the truth to come out. No one had come for me yet.

I had also spent every day since then dreading seeing Jonathan again. I had gone so far as pretending I had hurt my ankle last week to avoid the delivery at the abbey. It was time again to make the trip and part of me was hurting for something to take my mind off Aesop leaving me.

I cursed at myself, So desperate for love, pathetic. Another part of me worried, You walked into that alley knowing full well what Jonathan wanted from you. Then you denied him?! And better yet, caused him embarrassment by getting caught. Ugh! He probably never wants to see me again! I buried my face in my hands. Jonathan was right. We only have so long with each other before he takes his vows. And then I'll truly be all alone. We should make the most of it. I steeled my resolve. Ok, I'll go to the abbey and make it up to him. Even if I have to get on my knees for him again.

I got ready for work, my stomach tightening with anticipation.

At the shop, Martin was softer than usual in his greeting, "I went ahead and wrapped the orders and packed it all up for you."

He knew Aesop had left for the academy.

"Thank you. I'll be headed out then," I gathered the bag without giving his pitying look a second glance.

By the time I reached the abbey, I was becoming increasingly concerned Jonathan wouldn't see me. I nervously bit at my lip as I unloaded the order for the nun in the kitchen. When I'd finished and had not yet seen a glimpse of him, I knew it was futile. He's done with me. My heart sank and I readied myself to leave. Maybe I'll just peak in the library really quick. I tried not to get my hopes up as I snuck inside.

The dusty room was as quiet as ever. Not a footstep or rustling of pages to be heard. There's no one here, I slowed my eager searching. He really is done with me, I thought, dejected.

Hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me into the dark and pinning me against a wall of books. I blinked against the shadows, "Jonathan, I –"

"Shhh," he hushed me, placing a hand on my mouth as he pressed his body into mine with his crushing weight. "I knew you'd come back." His free hand trailed up the curves of my body and came to rest on my breast with a squeeze. "So, are you here to apologize for last time?" He asked, curling his lips upward in a cruel smile. His glacier blue eyes sparkling with hunger. He really was heaven's most beautiful angel.

It sent my pulse hammering. I struggled to nod against his hold.

"Good girl," he praised, releasing my mouth. "Now get on your knees and show me how sorry you are," he ordered.

I gulped, my legs frozen. Just get on your knees, I demanded my body to move. If you don't do this, he'll never forgive you. My legs quivered where I stood. He's going to leave me anyway when he takes his vows. "Jonathan, I can't do this anymore," I whispered.

He pulled away from me. "You don't care for me anymore?" He accused.

I shook my head, "No, it's just that my brother left me," I paused, watching his face, "and someday you'll leave me too."

He softened his voice, "Yeah, but not until after I take my vows. Shouldn't we make the most of our time together until then?" He gently cupped my face in his hand.

The warmth of his palm against my cheek caused my breath to halter. I licked my lips, hesitating. "No, I can't," I confessed. "It will only break my heart more."

He pulled his hand away and the loss of it made the room feel twice as cold.

"You've already made it clear you won't leave the Church for me. We shouldn't continue prolonging the inevitable." Why did I have to be the Phoenix's daughter? Could he have been with me if I weren't? I let out a shaky breath, "Tell me otherwise and I'll stay."

"I wish I could, but the Church needs me," he said, his voice flat and emotionless.

My chest rose and fell at the pace of my racing heartbeat. Don't cry, don't cry, I clenched my teeth together.

"Well, I suppose if we're done here, I should get going," he stated. "Goodbye, Rumor," he turned on his heel and left the library without another word.

My saliva thickened and I swallowed, trying and failing to keep the tears from falling. I sprinted. Running out the library doors and through the corridors until I was free of the abbey.

"Fuck!" I screamed into the sky. "I hate my life! I hate who I am!" I angrily rubbed tears from my face, gasping when my vision cleared.

Walking toward the abbey was none other than the man from the apothecary. Our paths crossing again.

My face was a mess from crying and beet red from the embarrassment. Why isn't there ever a river to drown in when I need one? I groaned.

His eyes met mine and I expected his face to twist into amusement at my appearance. Instead, his gaze was steady as he tilted his head to the side.

What is he looking at?

He was quickly at my side, pulling me in close before I could react. The woody scent of him engulfing me again. He leaned into me, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear as he spoke, "Oh, little mouse," he crooned, the vibration of his deep voice tingling up my scalp, "Crying over a hypocrite? Come now, you're stronger than that."

I pulled away to read his face, "I don't know what you're talking about."

He nodded toward the abbey, "They say sinners need the Church to repent, but the righteous won't allow them to step foot inside."

"What does that have to do with me?" I asked, my voice unsteady.

His eyes bore into my own, "Nothing. It only proves that everyone in that building is just a judgmental hypocrite. You shouldn't waste your tears on these people."

I was too stunned to respond. No one spoke ill of the Church.

He let go of my arm to slide the falling strap of my bag up my shoulder. "So, you're the butcher's delivery girl, Rumor?"

I narrowed my eyes, "Apprentice."

"Hmm," he mused. "And that pays well?"

Is he mocking me? "Well enough," I scoffed.

"Oh, I highly doubt that. You know, if you really wanted to show the world how capable you are, you'd come work for me," he flicked an eyebrow upward.

I stammered, "Work for you? Who are you?"

His lips curled up in a feline smile as he extended a hand out for me to shake, "My name is Adam. My employee, Matthew, tells me he's already offered you the position. I'm the new apothecary."

I gripped the strap of my bag with both hands and stepped back. "I already told your employee; I know nothing about apothecary work. I'm to be a butcher," I said with wavering confidence.

He dropped his outstretched hand, widening the smile, and shrugged, "Thought I'd offer again. Poor Matthew really took a liking to you. It takes a lot to impress him, you know. You made him feel seen."

I raised an eyebrow. The kindly old man? I found it hard to believe I did anything worthy of praise. Surely this Adam is teasing me. I scoffed and rolled my eyes.

"In place of a job, let me at least offer you my sincerest apologies for my attitude the day we met," he bowed, "You simply took me by surprise."

I crossed my arms and gave him a disbelieving look, "Are you to apologize to me for all of our encounters thus far as well? Or have I simply been taking you by surprise this whole time?"

He restrained a smile and considered, "You do indeed take me by surprise," he leveled his stare, those gray eyes glowing, "every time I see you."

Against my will, a heat rose in my cheeks.

His gaze flicked down and when he met my eyes again his face had become more serious. "I'm deeply sorry for the incident with the river and my comments following," he paused, "but I'm not the least bit sorry I interrupted that boy groping you in the alley."

All of the blood left my face, "That's none of your business."

He shrugged again, "Nevertheless, I won't apologize for it. Anyway," he continued, ignoring my embarrassment, "the job offer still stands when you decide to take me up on it," he winked.

Before I could stutter a response, he casually proceeded on his way to the abbey. I stood in the middle of the road, watching him walk away, my mouth agape. He glanced back and smirked when he caught me staring, his laugh echoing down to me before he disappeared into the building.

I regained my composure and began to fume. Who does he think he is? My nostrils flared. Argh! Offering me a stupid job, for his stupid face, with his stupid voice. I found myself shivering at the memory of his lips brushing against my ear. That stupid laugh! Ugh! My thighs rubbed together, painfully empty of the friction it wanted, flushing my whole body into a heat. Those eyes. I remembered the way he licked his lips when we'd ran into each other in town. His heady scent that made me brainless. My mouth watered. I ran the back of my hand across my hot forehead. I'm going to die unsatisfied, I cursed.

I found myself stomping back to Martin's shop from another encounter with the new apothecary.