STOLEN HEART

An Aristocrat's Palace

Aphmau (P.O.V)
My door rattles at the sound of hinges unlocking and Bea's head peaks around the corner eventually looking down to see me.
"Bea!" I rise up to hold her as she wraps her arms around me,
"Miss.. I'm so sorry, I should have never allowed you into that room" I look at her,
"Don't be sorry, I should never have pulled you in there with me. Are you alright? Zane didn't do anything else to you did he?" I inspect her clothes for rips but she stops me and says,
"I'm fine, Zane didn't do anything to me apart from frightening the life out of me," she puts on a small smile as I embrace her once more.
"What about you? I doubt he was easy on you." I look down at the floor,
"You're right... Bea.. He said he wants to go back on our agreement! What is he going to do? What will become of Phoenix Drop?" I say frantically with all sorts of terrifying thoughts in my head.
"I'm afraid I don't, I'll...try and find out as much as I can if you would like Miss?" I walk over to my bed and sit on the edge looking out of the window into the navy night sky,
"I've never seen Zane in that form before...what was he?" I keep my gaze fixed onto the stars and as the mattress lowers I can tell Bea is beside me,
"I'm not sure what the form is called, all I know is it's a form all the Jury of Nine can take when they are experiencing a strong emotion; in this case anger". I shudder along with my mind picturing Katelyn as that...monster; I hope I never see her like that.
After some time Bea helps me undress for bed, it's been a long enough day already. She combs the flowers and braids out of my hair then creating one long braid down my back to sleep in. Nothing much is said, the new candles are blown out leaving me alone lying in bed with the moon shining in through the closed glass. I don't want tomorrow and it's misery to arrive. I tose and turn all night.

Zane (P.O.V)
Aphmau sits in the chair opposite me in her new tailored casual dress with loose white sleaves with a brown and navy corset laced around her waist followed by a simple marron brown skirt *look at image*. She doesn't touch any of her breakfast, I suppose she's still upset about the fact I've made her have all her meals with me from now on. Also probably what state I'll leave Phoenix Drop in. I didn't sleep much last night, not with a constant doubt of my judgement on Pheonix Drop. Sure, I sent for the papers but I've still not been able to pick up the pen after the hours of thought.
"For Irene's sake eat something." I say as I take a bite of a roll,
"I'd rather starve," she says still looking down at her lap, I really don't know what to say, sorry won't be enough I'm sure.
"I'm sorry for how I acted last night, I'm not exactly use to my strength on humans as a Leviathan." She finally looks up,
"A Leviathan? Is that...?" I swallow my food before I reply,
"What I turned into last night? Yes." I say it like it's nothing, "I'm sorry my anger got the best of me, I don't like my family history being spoken of; I'm not exactly proud of it." She reaches out for her glass that is filled with orange juice, maybe a 'sorry' was the right move after all. She speaks after she finishes her sip of juice,
"How come..?" I can tell she regrets it as she refuses to make eye contact with me and sits silently,
"...my mother..well.." Is all I can manage before Aphmau interupts me,
"I understand.." She says, and I'm left slightly confused as to what she knows, "losing someone like that...when you and Garroth were so young..."
I'm left speechless, not only from the fact that she knows that but that she seems to be showing me pity.
"Well...yes I suppose so" I've never been left speechless before, especially by a women. She doesn't touch any food in the end.

After breakfast I asked her to join me in the garden, on Sunday the palace is completely shut to buisness so I find no reason stopping me from showing Aphmau outside. I figure this is what an engaged couple does to pass time, right? I wouldn't really know. I show Aphmau all the features including; the pavilion, various drinking fountains, carved bushes and everything I can think of. She remains silent the entire time so I attempt to break,
"Is something wrong..?" I try to sound sincere but it sounds a bit too forceful for my liking. She looks at me with a look of sarcastic confusion,
"Something wrong? Do you not understand Zane? I'm trapped here..engaged to you!" She looks at the ring I hexed onto her finger and holds it up to my face, "How can I be happy like this?"
"You can't be...it's simple". She looks up at me awestruck and I keep a blank expression and sounds of trickling water and birds are all that can be heard. I walk closer to her grab her ringed finger and say, "I didn't do this for your interests," I drop her hand, "it was for mine". I leave her in the open garden with the sun shining on her.