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The light dimmed in Ashburn’s eyes. “That’s what I’m afraid of,” he said.

“The TimeDust needs us to find the truth, which will lead us to where we can never return.” He paused to harden his voice.

“I showed you those things so you’d understand and make the right choice. I expected you could be reasoned with.”

“You want me to walk away from all this?” Lucienne’s voice was cooling.

“It’s the only way,” Ashburn said with a set jaw.

“So you think this is all your decision,” Lucienne said, “but you don’t get to make one for me.”

“I disagreed with Seraphen’s hard method. I tried to persuade him not to go after you. I thought a soft approach and undisputable reasons would make you leave this alone.”

Lucienne’s eyes darkened to russet brown. “What if I don’t go along with your plan? You’ll pick up where the mad dog left off and kill me?”

A metal-cold look sunk into Ashburn’s eyes. “We’ll do whatever it takes, unless you come to your senses before it’s too late.”

“You have access to everyone’s memories, including all of my enemies,” Lucienne said with lethal softness. “You must know that I don’t take threats well.”

“It isn’t a threat,” Ashburn said. “I won’t be able to stop Seraphen then.”

“Bring it on, either of you. Or both of you.”

“I’d never lay a finger on you,” Ashburn sighed, “but you know you can’t beat him, even with your net launcher. You have no idea of what he can do.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“Why do you have to be so stubborn, Lucienne Lam?”

“Why do you, Ashburn Fury?”

They glared at each other. Lucienne could hear his hard breathing, in sync with her own. She bit her lip, resisting the strong attraction calling to her.

Ashburn snapped his head toward the door. “Violet’s here.”

Before Lucienne could rise from Ashburn’s bed, Violet had pushed open the door and marched in. Her face sunk at the sight of Lucienne. “What are you doing here?” the girl demanded, looking daggers at Lucienne, clearly inspecting whether the taller girl’s silky pajama top was unbuttoned or wrinkled.

“I believe I should be the one asking this question.” Lucienne said. “Why are you here at this hour disturbing our nice chat?”

“I came to check on Ash!” Violet said.

“Does he need you to tuck him in?” Lucienne said with an ironic smile.

“I heard you’re spending the night here,” Violet said. “I needed to make sure you weren’t bewitching him. And here you are, coming to his room in the middle of night and throwing yourself at him.”

“I am?” Lucienne gazed at Ashburn through her lashes. It was a sultry look.

“Don’t look at him like that!” Violet said.

“Like what?” Lucienne batted her eyes.

The redhead lunged at Lucienne, her long fingernails reaching for the dark-haired beauty, trying to scratch Lucienne’s face. Lucienne could have easily deflected the redhead’s attack, but instead she cringed and hid behind Ashburn.

Ashburn shot to his feet and grabbed Violet’s hands to stop her. “What are you doing?”

“Don’t you see what the witch is trying to do?” Violet asked. “She’s trying to steal you from me!”

Lucienne considered sticking her tongue out at Violet or giving the redhead a wink, but she knew Ashburn would see it in Violet’s memory, and she’d lose her credibility as the victim. So she put on the demure look of a girl who would never want to hurt Ashburn’s dear friend.

“Violet, I’m not yours,” Ashburn said. “Not in that way. I care about you more than my life, but I’ve always regarded you as a sister. ”

“That’s not true,” Violet said. “Before she came, you didn’t treat me like a sister.”

“You misunderstood how I treated you,” Ashburn said.

“You’re lying to yourself as you’re lying to me. You aren’t the Ash I know anymore.” Violet put a fist in her mouth to muffle a devastated cry and ran out of the room.

Ashburn looked at Violet’s retreating figure, then at Lucienne, and ran after Violet.

Lucienne heard the door to the master bedroom open. “Ash?” Clement’s voice sounded from the hallway. Lucienne darted to hide behind the door.

“Yes, Mama?” Ashburn answered.

“I heard noises,” Clement said.

“I’m sorry, Mama. I’ll be quiet,” Ashburn said. “Go back to sleep. It’s late.”

“Where have you been? Queen Lucienne has been asking about you. And you missed dinner,” Clement said. “You want me to warm up the beef stew for you?”

“No, Mama. I ate some already,” Ashburn said.

“Shush,” Peder’s voice came from their bedroom, “Queen Lucienne is sleeping. Her Majesty is dwelling in our humble home to learn our dialect and customs. We must set a good example for her.”

“You’re right, Papa. Everyone go back to sleep now,” Ashburn lowered his voices.

The house quieted down, but Ashburn never returned.

Lucienne knew he had gone after Violet. An unexpected jealousy besieged her. Furiously, she shook it off. She had Vladimir. Her heart had space for only one man, and that man had staked his claim. Why then did she feel so possessive toward Ashburn?

Lying on the bed in the guest room, Lucienne was listening and waiting for Ashburn to return, tossing and turning as the night sky transitioned to dawn.