Mitchel followed Alex back into the library. He settled down onto one of the couches and took in every one of her movements. His mind ran at a thousand miles an hour, leaving him breathless. She was fighting with herself; her words and actions said different things. The invitation to stay the night weighed on his shoulders.

If he messed this up, he could lose her... forever.

Mitchel set his jaw. He had promised he would fight for her. She told him that was what she wanted, and he wanted it too. He wanted to have her hand on top of his. He wanted to hold her close, to breathe in her warmth. Mitch smiled at her as she looked through the books on the wall. She was the most amazing woman he had ever met.

Everything she did stole his attention and burned a memory into his head. He couldn't deny the attraction he had towards her. His mind fought with him, though. If they went through with this and started to court, even in secret, it could get out. If that happened, both Alex and her mother would be in danger. He had a reputation, but that wouldn't save them.

Mitchel sighed, and if he didn't find someone in the next year, he would be kicked out without anything. Would she even want him if he wasn't of the same status and couldn't provide such a lavish lifestyle? Would she want him when he told her... Mitchell shook the thought from his head.

If father found out, I wouldn't even have a year with her, he thought, setting his jaw.

"What story are you looking for, Alex?" He loved how her voice was a song of its own; he could listen to her talk for the rest of his life.

Alexander sighed. "As I informed you before, my memory isn't as good as it needs to be... I'm trying to find the story- ah. There it is." She walked over with a book in her hand and sat on the floor near the fireplace. "This is the story my father read me all those years ago."

Mitchel got up and sat down on the opposite side of the fireplace. He crossed his legs and tilted his head, watching the flames dance off her skin. "I would love to hear it." He encouraged her to continue, his smile growing.

Her eyes shone like sapphires in the light. They held a slight tint of gray in them. The fire made her glow in the darkening room.

Alexander hoped to hide her blush by lowering her head as she opened up the book to read. The story was a simple one but exciting enough to remember. A pirate had kidnapped who he thought was a prince, which turned out to be a princess.

Mitchel leaned forward, placing his chin in his hands. His elbows rested on his knees as he soaked in the story. Her eyes lit up when she got to the exciting parts and how her voice conveyed the characters' emotions captured his heart and mind. She enthralled him. If Mitchel could stay there and forget the world with her, he would have. The fire slowly died away, and by the time she had finished reading, it was a slow flicker instead of its previous roar.

"I see why you like that story." He mumbled when she was done. "It is a good one." He smiled at her and stretched his aching back. He glanced over at the window. The dark world lay sleeping past the glass panes. "Shall we turn in?" He asked, hoping she would be the one to lead him to where he would be staying. Mitchel wanted to be in her presence as long as possible.

Alexander nodded as she closed the book. "Eerily familiar too..." She muttered under her breath. She stood up from the floor and lent her hand to help Mitch. "Might as well. We can't all be night owls. I'll show you to your room."

He smiled at her hand and took it gently in his. Just her touch took his breath away and melted his worries. He stood with ease, holding onto her hand longer than needed. Mitch liked the way it fit in his hand. It was smooth and soft, unlike his rough, calloused ones. He had to fight the urge to run his finger over the branches of veins that moved under her porcelain skin. His breath caught in his chest as he nodded.

"Lead the way, Alex." He said, his voice deepened with his increased sleepiness.

Alexander shivered, unable to hide the thrill the tone of his voice sent down her spine. She walked ahead of him and up the large stairway. She refused to turn her head to ensure Mitchel was following her, afraid of the excitement on his face and hers. She turned off left and pushed open the door that was left open; Alexander figured this was the one mother had made up since the other open door was her room. She'd be damned if she invited Mitchel into that one.

She waved her hand to motion to the room. "This should be it..." Alexander cursed the hesitation in her voice, not wanting to end the encounter.

Mitchel stood leaning against the door frame. He took in the lavish bed and large windows that overlooked the pond outside. Nothing would be able to outshine her beauty, though. His heart beat in his chest as a thought crossed his mind. The muscles in his arms tightened to keep him from running his hand down her arm. He wanted to give in to the temptation. The air between them was thick and electric. Her eyes shone in the low light, and her lips drew him in. He struggled, trying desperately to resist the call. He smiled and nodded.

Her mother approved. She would not have gone through the trouble if she hadn't. He had no reason not to, except the danger was there for both of them. Alex was worth it.

"Thank you, Alex." He said quietly, frozen in place. He had to fight for this. He was a man of his word, so why was he so hesitant?

Mitchel straightened up to turn into the room, but his mind had other ideas. He turned on a dime to face her, blocking the door with his large body. He reached out and pulled her close to him, kissing her gently. His thumb brushed over her cheek as he deepened the kiss, his fingers wrapped in her hair. The excitement rushed through him as his mind went numb. He pulled back, breathing heavily. He stepped back, giving her distance.

"Alex..." He whispered, though there was no apology in his voice. His eyes searched hers, desperately wanting her to tell him that was okay.

Alexander gasped out, unsure if her breathing would return to normal. "G-good night... Mitchel Sunce."

"Good night, Alexander Izar." He whispered, a soft smile playing on his lips. He closed the door and leaned against the wood, not wanting her to leave. There was light rasping on the door. It was barely loud enough to be acknowledged, but it caught his attention.

"Mitch?" She whispered.

Mitchel's heart raced through him, leaving his limbs an iceberg. He turned and opened the door quicker than was necessary. His breath got stuck again as he took in the bright blue eyes that looked back at him. He stayed quiet, wanting to hear what she had to say.

Alexander searched his eyes for a second before grabbing double fistfuls of his shirt and crashing her lips against his. Instinctively, her hands moved up to entangle themselves in Mitchel's messy curls. Their chest pressed together, Mitchel's hand traveled to her lower back, lifting her to her tiptoes.

Mitchel's heart soared. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her as close as she could be to him. He held her there. His other hand was gently placed on the back of her neck. Her touch lit a fire in his heart. He pulled back to catch his breath, placing his forehead on hers. A toothy grin spread on his face as he kissed her again, not wanting to let her go.

Alexander chuckled, untangling herself from him before they were caught. "Now that's a kiss, Mitchel. Good night."

"I hadn't noticed." He chuckled, his mind reeling. "Good night, Alex." He leaned against the door and watched her move into her room. Once her door was shut, he closed his as well.

Mitchel stumbled over to the bed and flopped on it. He grabbed a pillow and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, unable to hide his smile. He replayed the kiss in his mind over and over. Mitchel didn't want to go to sleep. His excitement kept him awake; one thing kept racing through his mind. She had kissed him back.

After a bit, he got up and stripped down, leaving him in his pants. Curling up on the mattress, he fell into the easiest sleep since moving to Patu.

The morning light streamed through the window, waking Mitchel up. He opened his eyes and peered around the unfamiliar room. Sitting up quickly, he glanced around before he remembered where he was. Stretching, Mitchel pulled himself from the bed and pulled his shirt over his head.

Lord Sunce will kill you, his mind spoke to him in a mimicking tone. A smile spread on his face.

Alex kissed you last night, and all you can think about is your father? He chuckled to himself.

"Pathetic." He muttered as he ran a hand through his curls. He nodded at his reflection and pulled his jacket over his shoulders. Heading out of the room, he looked over at the door that Alex had disappeared to last night, wondering if she was up yet.

"Alex?" He whispered, knocking on her door. She had mentioned being a night owl. He wondered if she had gone to sleep at a decent time.

Loud bangs came from the other side of the door like someone had fallen a few times. Alexander cursed out. "Damn you, Mitchel. This is not an appropriate time!"

Mitchel laughed and backed away from the door. "My apologies, Alex. I will take my leave then." He started down the hall and noted that she was not a morning person.

"Hey! Just... stay there. Don't leave this estate without a proper... goodbye." Alexander shuffled.

"As you wish." He leaned against the wall, watching the door, his smile growing with each bump and bang coming from her door's other side.

Alexander let out a frustrated sigh and opened the door as she buttoned the last button of the jacket.

"There..." Her eyes widened as a vast, vibrant blue dress fell behind her. The tulle of the dress engulfed her feet from behind. She tried to kick it back inside the room and slammed her door shut.

"That would be a good color on you." He grinned and raised an eyebrow at her. "It would make your eyes stand out more than they already do." He wouldn't admit it, but he was sad that she had changed. Seeing her in a proper dress would send him to an early grave.

Alexander looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Please don't say anything in front of my mother... The thought of it bothers her even if she doesn't admit it..." She shook her head. "I was just... trying it on."

"There is no need to explain, Alex. My lips are sealed." He winked at her and nodded towards the stairs. "I should be returning to my estate soon; my father will be losing his head now." He sighed, not wanting to be away from her.

Alexander furrowed her brows. "As you wish..." She wasn't going to try to hide the displeasure in her voice.

Mitchel smirked and nodded. "Trust me, Alex. I do not wish it. I would stay here for the rest of my days if allowed. I can't just ignore my duties, though. I am on-how do you say... trial? With my father. He is super strict." He nodded and shrugged. "One foot out of line, I can kiss my title goodbye."

Alexander hummed, not listening even though she should. She watched the morning light hit the patches of his skin. He was the most beautiful man she had ever met, the most interesting. Instinct overtook her as she traced a pattern that started on his jawline and went down the length of his neck.

"Beautiful..." She had thought she only said it in her mind, but her voice betrayed her. Her eyes widened. "I apologize..." She shook her head. "I'm not myself in the mornings."

He placed a hand over hers before she could pull away. Mitchel smiled and kissed her palm. "I do not mind." He chuckled and let her hand go before anyone could spot them.

Alexander frowned at the lack of contact. "If this... will be too difficult for you... to hide; I don't wish to hold you back." Alexander turned her eyes away, afraid of the begging to stay that she knew was in them.

"Hold me back from what, Alex?" Mitchel took a deep breath and looked out over her estate through the window. "I think my father only gave me a year to be nice; I won't find anyone in that time." He looked back at her. "No one else I would truly want anyways. I am not from your world." He looked down at her hand and ran a finger over it. "I would rather take the risk than be stuck with someone I don't want."

Alexander chuckled. A sad tone was behind it, though. "I suppose that does make you arrogant then... Maybe," She shrugged, "you should take Lady Evana's offer, though, Mitch. It would ensure your entire future. Your comfort is important even if you don't think so. You can't throw away your future just because you're a hopeless romantic."

Mitchel gave a bitter scoff. "An unhappy future with Lady Evana and all the luxury in the world?" He shook his head. "No, Alex. There are things much more important than comfort." He pulled away from her. "I would throw my future away for someone I cared for rather than sit back and keep it intact." Mitchel locked eyes with her, hoping she would understand. "This is worth fighting for, is it not? I told you I would fight for you; I am a man of my word."

Alexander rolled her eyes, a smirk spreading across her face. She patted his arm. "Hopeless romantic, indeed." She waved him forward. "Let's get you to your carriage, Romeo."

"Romeo?" he laughed. "Didn't they die?" He followed her out of the estate and took a deep breath of the crisp morning. "Don't you worry, Alex. We will figure this out." He winked at her.

Alexander ran her fingers over the dark green carriage. "What happened to the black one?"

"This is the one I take when I get a choice." Mitchel shrugged. "It is less conspicuous. People don't know it as much. It doesn't have the sun sigil on it." He nodded to the green-painted door where the symbol of the sun would usually be. "It is more my size too." He said, noting the smaller size of the carriage. "Ritz, are you ready to go home?" The man in the driver's seat nodded and bowed to Alex.

Alexander's smile dropped to an even line on her face. She narrowed her eyes slightly. "So Sunce does mean Sun, huh... How peculiar." She raised an eyebrow. "Do you know what Izar means?"

He smiled and nodded. "It means stars, doesn't it?" Mitchel's smile grew. "It looks like we were written into the heavens, no?"

Alexander gave a short nod, dropping her eyes down to his lips. She wanted to replay last night, but it was too dangerous. Instead, she opened his carriage door and offered up a tight smile to Mitchel. "You're welcome back any time, friend... Unannounced or not." She folded her hands behind her back. "Oh! I've almost forgotten that I must invite you to an upcoming event. It's a masquerade ball. You probably got the invitation in the mail, but... I might as well invite you myself."

"You mean the one for Violet?" A devilish smile spread across Mitchel's face. "I would love to go with you," he said, desperately wanting to reach out and squeeze her hand.

Alexander cleared her throat and nodded towards Ritz. "Yes, well, all dukes will be attending the party. Status quo and all," Alexander's voice was cracking throughout.

"Don't worry, Alex," Mitchel said as he glazed over Ritz. "I can point out all the pretty girls to you." He winked and chuckled.

Alexander rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "I have a feeling we have different tastes, my friend. Besides–" Alexander almost gagged on her name. "I doubt Violet will leave you alone to point out anything but her."

"Ah, the downside to being beautiful." He laughed and nodded. "I will see you there, or shall I pick you up?"

Alexander shrugged. "Why not? Saves my help the trouble. I appreciate it."

"Of course, Alex, I will see you in a week." He winked at her and sat in the carriage, tapping on the wood in front of him to let Ritz know he was ready. He watched her every move as they disappeared down the road.