Hannah walked slowly away and headed for the balcony. The quieter and more distant she was, the easier it would be to go unnoticed. After she missed the End of Summer Ball, whispers of her absence filled the fortress. So, Serena had instructed her to spend more time outside the bedroom. According to her, the more reclusive she became, the more curiosity she would arouse. So, how about getting along more and showing that there was no reason to be curious? Well, that was the plan now. She leaned slightly on the counter. It was liberating to leave the room. She had spent the day answering letters, looking at maps and forecasts. She missed her training on the Island. As exhausting as it was, it was a way of channeling her energy. In Shailaja, she felt bored.

The night was beautiful. The temperature, however, was much lower than what she was used to. In fact, she was always feeling cold. It was her weakness, no doubt about it. Over her dark blue dress, she wore a thick and warm coat. She had borrowed it from Chris, as she couldn't own anything so refined. A light breeze ruffled the curtains in the main hall. Serena and Chris went in for another game of cards and she was left alone on the balcony.

She shivered. Hannah hated how the cold bothered her. Taking a deep breath, she let the coat slide down her arms. The breeze found her shoulders and she felt a shiver. She wasn't going to be overcome by the cold. On the Island, it was no secret how much she trained to become more and more resistant to it. The ghayas had already issued the warning: their enemies knew this weakness and would use it. She ran her fingers over the counter, trying not to shiver. The texture of the stone reminded her of her childhood. It was jagged and sandy like the place where she had slept until she was found.

- Miss Maël - called a deep voice.

Hannah turned and saw Noa Rariff in the porch entrance. Behind him, the curtains followed the wind and hid the hall.

- I'm grateful that you decided to join us. - Noa walked towards her and stopped beside a small table in the left corner of the balcony. He had a bottle of wine and two glasses.

Hannah moved a little closer to the balcony, intending to increase the space between them.

- There is nothing to be thankful for, Mr. Rariff - she replied. Keep your voice down. You must show shyness,tranquility and modesty. You will be the shadow of yourself. Gaetana's instructions echoed in her mind whenever she was forced to deal directly with Noa. No matter how much she watched him, she still couldn't decipher his character.

He set the glasses down and bent over as he poured the wine. Was he pouring the wine? What for?

- Miss Maël, I feel like we started out in a turbulent way. But I want you to know that it is my intention that our relationship remain peaceful - Noa said in his listless tone. Rarely did Noa Rariff express any emotion. It was like if he was on a diplomatic mission. He always spoke in a lower voice than the others. His intonation was profoundly bored. But even so, she had to admit that his presence there was disconcerting. Why bother? She clearly wasn't a threat.

Noa ran a hand through his short hair. It was an impatient gesture. He expected an answer.

- Uh... Of course, Mr. Rariff. It's my wish too - she replied. A truce. That's exactly what she wanted.

He stared at her for a brief moment, then picked up the wine glasses and offered one to her.

- How about we toast to this deal? - offered.

Oh no. Hannah took the cup carefully as her mind sought a solution. She couldn't drink that wine. It was against all regulations and safety measures on the Island. All their food went through a scheme carefully put together by Raoul. The food and drink that reached Hannah came from the same cook, who was trusted by Enzo Yezekael. Berta, her maid, could only make her requests to him. Apart from that source, Island protocol allowed her to eat whatever food was shared at the same table as Rariff, but she would never be the first to taste it. She always had to wait. Like any heiress, she was forbidden to drink anything offered directly by strangers, especially by an open enemy. Noa should have known that. However, he thought so little of her that he must have felt that these safety rules did not apply. That thought made Hannah angry.

She swallowed hard as he helped himself. When he was finished, Noa took two steps and rested his left arm on the counter.

- Will you not answer me? - he asked. She sensed there was surprise in his tone. In his eyes, she could see a spark of amusement. Once again, he laughed at her expense. Hannah knew he wouldn't poison her with wine here in Shailaja, with everyone within a few feet away. However, she had many enemies. She didn't know where the wine came from. Who had given it to Noa? According to protocol, some royal guard, responsible for testing every drink that reached the heir. But what if he had commented that he would serve her the wine? That changed everything.

- I'll toast with you. But you know I can't drink it - she said casually. She felt the weight of his gaze upon her as Noa absorbed the meaning of her words.

- Are you afraid I intend to kill you? - He asked. His lips curled upward in a mocking expression.

- Protocol. You know how it works.

- I know... So, I see that you are also subject to safety regulations.

- More than you know - Hannah replied, her tone equally mocking.

- Miss Maël, excuse my rudeness. I see you are still shaken by the attack upon your arrival. - He waited for an answer, but when it did not come, he continued: - My men are still looking for explanations for what happened, but I want you to know that you are safe here.

Safe. Hannah had already learned that she was never safe. Not even Noa was safe and that was exactly why she was in Shailaja. Of course, he was in the dark. He didn't know anything that went on outside his realm. He only knew what his uncle let reach his ears.

Ever since she'd met Noa, the way he walked, his head held high, his confidence, his mocking look at others, his arrogance... All of his ways were driving her crazy. How could he be so blind? How could he feel so untouchable? They were on the brink of war! She felt like screaming at him until he understood. She wanted to tell him everything she knew, to destroy everything he thought was right. She felt like stealing everything he considered safe as his uncle once stole from her.

On the way to Shailaja, Hannah had tried to balance her expectations about Noa Rariff. She knew she would find an unprepared heir. However, she had never imagined that he would be so innocent. Innocent and yet so arrogant. It was revolting!

Tired of waiting for her to say something and probably regretting going out on the balcony, Noa was now looking out to sea. She watched breathlessly as he lifted his wineglass to his lips and took a sip. We have a long way to go, she thought.

- Mr. Rariff, we're never safe - she began, trying not to sound alarmist. He turned to her. - I may not have any land nor inheritance, but there is no lack of reasons for me to feel this way.

Noa stared at her and approached. His voice was low and severe, almost a whisper, as he said: - No matter what I say or do, you are determined to be my enemy. - He took another step and was less than a foot away. The anger and disdain were obvious when he said: - Do you think I intend to hurt you? Do you think you would be alive if my uncle wanted you dead? Do you think I would kill you with a glass of wine? Do you think I would bother to do this with my bare hands?

Now her heart was beating fast with anger. It wasn't what she thought at all. How dare he ask these questions? Her thoughts were confused, and she couldn't keep up the act. With a superhuman effort not to respond in kind, she started towards the entrance to the hall.

However, he wouldn't let her get away so easily, and when she realized, she was trapped. Noa had hurried on, and as she leaned on the balcony to pass, he circled her and now both his arms surrounded her as his hands gripped the stone bench. The proximity was outrageous. Her breathing was quickened with hate. If she could just be herself, she would already know what to do.

- I demand an answer - he said in a low whisper.

- I see... - she stated with irony. She didn't know what to say. Hannah decided that the best thing to do would be to stall until someone showed up and he had to let her go.

- Do you think I intend to kill you? Answer me! - he demanded. His gaze was grave, and she could feel him grip the balcony tightly. Apparently, she had found a way to make him show some emotion. One thought and I'm done with this joke. Hannah tried to concentrate. He could afford to lose control, but she couldn't. One wrong move and she would end up ruining her disguise.

- No, Mr. Rariff. - She used his last name in an attempt to bring him to common sense. -Your contempt for me is too great to take the trouble, isn't that what you mean?

She saw confusion in his eyes, but she wasn't going to make things easier for him. She took a deep breath, lifted her face, and looked directly into his eyes as she said firmly: - You offer me wine as a sign of consideration, but your disdain is hidden in it, for you know very well that no other heir could accept it. You did this just to belittle me, to show my insignificance to you.

- No - he replied sharply. - You did not understand...

She held his defiant gaze, but replied quietly: - Maybe... Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd prefer that you explain it to me on another occasion, Kaal.

As soon as that last word left her lips, Noa drew back. The royal treatment reminded him of his position, and he soon released her. Hannah glimpsed the embarrassment on his face, but she didn't intend to stay there to take a closer look. As soon as he removed his arms, she headed for the spiral staircase and quickly climbed it.

***

Later that night, Noa wondered where his head was. What was I thinking? I had offered the wine to talk about her absence from the ball. I intended to make her feel comfortable attending the events. However, every step I took to approach her is a mistake. Every attempt always had an unexpected side effect. I was wrong about her. She looks harmless, silly, fragile. I felt I needed to protect her. But she is skittish, like a wildcat. Her appearance is quite different from her temperament. I need to change the way I treat her. In fact, I need to stop trying so hard to improve this situation.

He remembered Blake's words. He was right. The damage was done. There was a lot of resentment involved. Any effort would be in vain.

~*~

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Ps: I am a Brazilian author and a dear friend is helping me translate this book. Please feel free to point out any mistakes. Hope you like it!