No sooner have I added the finishing touches to my makeup when I'm interrupted by a knock on the door. Confused, I make my way over to the door.

Ayden stands on the other side.

He wears a white shirt, leather jacket, and black jeans. I have to admit, it's a sexy look. I bite my lip.

But as my gaze draws back up to his face, I find his own eyes scanning my body. Giant purple petals wrap around my body to form a knee-length dress, fastened by a leafy belt of vines. When I stumbled across the traditional fairy clothing in the wardrobe, I knew I wanted to wear something to remind me of home.

The corners of Ayden's lips tilt up in approval. "Well, well, well. Don't you look beautiful?" He remarks.

"I was just about to come down and meet you." Stupid. He already knows this. I've been consistent lately at turning up on time.

"There's no need for that tonight. We're not going to be eating in the dining room." There's a twinkle in his eyes I've never seen before. Whatever emotion is causing it makes his amber eyes appear like flickering fire. It's mesmerising.

"Then where are we eating?" I internally curse myself when my voice comes out sounding weak. If he didn't look so attractive right now, maybe I would be able to put some bite behind my words. Something that doesn't tell him exactly how distracting his appearance is.

He leans against the doorframe. "We, Kora, are going out."

Out? As in, leaving this house that's become my prison? Did I hear him correctly? "Out?"

"Yes. Out into the city. I've booked us a table in a restaurant."

My heart misses a beat. My eyes widen as I stare at his smirking face. If this is the surprise Selene was talking about earlier, I owe her a whole lot more than just a thank you.

Out into the city. This is my chance to run. To fight for my freedom. If it's busy, I could easily get swallowed up by the crowd. Although if Ayden causes a scene, I could make a whole lot more enemies in a matter of seconds. I'll need to be quick, clever, and discreet. But most importantly, I'll need to be patient in waiting for the perfect opportunity. This is my chance, and I don't want to waste it.

"However," He adds, amusement curving his lips. I should've known this was too good to be true. "I'm going to need you to be on your best behaviour. That means acting like you belong here, and acting like we're dating." His fingers gently curl under my chin. I supress a shudder. "I'm taking an enormous risk with this. Don't make me regret it."

I cross my fingers behind my back. "I won't."

He holds me there for another moment, searching my face for the truth. He releases my chin. For once, my lies must've fooled him. His hand trails the length of my arm, leaving goosebumps in its wake. When he reaches my hand, he interlocks his fingers with mine.

"Let me show you my city." His smile softens from his wicked allure to something warmer and more welcoming. Perhaps the sudden shift should unsettle me, but it has the opposite effect.

Hand in hand, we walk through the mansion. When I can see the front door from the top of the stairs, my hand tightens around Ayden's. I can't quite believe we're here. That he is literally going to walk me out the front door. That he's showing me the key to my freedom.

The moment I step outside, I stop. I take a deep breath in. And out. Taste the late summer heat on my tongue, sweet with the last of the ripened summer berries. Over the past month I've been here, the only fresh air I've breathed has been squeezed through windows on a breeze. I'll never again take for granted the sensation of being out in the open air. Wind rustling my hair. Sun brushing its warm touch over my flesh.

"How are you feeling?" If I couldn't hear the sincerity in his voice, I would probably slap him for such a stupid question.

I look his way. "How do you think? I've been locked inside for a month. Even if I'm stuck with you, it's a huge relief to be out here."

He sighs. "I probably deserve the backhand reply."

My eyebrows lift. It might not be an apology, but I didn't expect him to admit he's done me wrong. "You certainly do." I remember Selene's advice. "But I'm glad you can see that."

Eleanora trails us as Ayden leads me into the heart of the city.

Every street we walk down, people pay attention to us. Many spot Ayden and hurriedly avert their gazes. Some give us a wider birth, purposefully avoiding us. Others give me curious looks. I feel their attention latched onto me like parasites. I hate this twisted, nightmare version of the fame I once dreamed of having for my music.

During our walk, Ayden points out various landmarks to me; landmarks I once ignored in my desperation to retrieve the flute. He shows me the sports arena, the bar him and the rest of the Midnight Circle frequent, and, surprisingly, a park filled with children playing amongst vibrant flora.

We end up outside a fancy, respectable-looking restaurant. A small queue waits outside, but Ayden breezes past and the server on the door scrambles to follow us inside.

"Uh." He pushes his glasses up his nose. "Your usual table has been prepared, sir, precisely as you requested." Usual table? So Ayden is in here often. And the staff know him. And they probably wouldn't hesitate to obey his orders. Just my luck!

"Hey! I've been waiting an hour out here." The woman at the front of the queue outside yells.

"Wait your turn." The server retorts, before turning his reddening face back to Ayden. "Apologies, sir. You won't be interrupted during your meal, I assure you." He stops by a booth at the back of the restaurant, mercifully out of the way of prying eyes.

Ayden slides into the booth. When I sit down, he finally releases my hand.

"The woman outside. Do you know who she is?" He asks.

"I'm afraid I don't."

"Find out for me."

"Is that all, sir?"

Ayden hesitates, tilting his head to one side. Both me and the server watch him nervously. I wait for him to demand some terrible punishment for the woman. "Yes." He confirms. I blink. "Give us a few minutes and we'll be ready to order."

"Of course." The server bows before scurrying away.