"How long before he gives up?"

"Knowing his stubborn ass, he'll be at it till night falls," Timothy leaned back against the paddock fence.

The sun was high in the sky. I doubted Kai would sacrifice so many hours to prove himself. This was the man who hid socks behind the washing machine because he couldn't be bothered to search for the missing pair.

I grimaced as Kai once again landed on his ass. Guess I wasn't the only one Lyria had it out for. For the last 20 minutes, he had been trying to get Lyria to return to her stall.

"Ten copper coins. I bet he'll be on his ass another five times before Henry takes pity and takes over," he said, jutting his chin towards the man standing on the other side of the fence by the gate.

Henry watched as Kai grabbed the reins in frustration once more. He shook his head in disappointment when Lyria fanned her wings and reared up on her back legs, scaring Kai. He dropped the reins and stumbled back, avoiding being struck in the head by her hoof. Tripping over his feet, he landed on his ass. Again.

"Four more to go."

"I don't have any coins," I informed him.

He looked over at me with a raised brow. "None?"

"None."

"Toffee pudding, then?" He asked with a grin.

I narrowed my eyes at him before sighing. "You can have it anyways. It's not like I actually make it to dinner." I jumped off the fence I was seated on as his smirk dropped.

"I'll get Kai to try to sneak you some leftover from the kitchen tonight. He's on dish duty."

I shook my head. "No, I don't want him getting in trouble." Apparently, there was a rule that all meals must be kept to the dining hall. Something about a rat problem because some people decided to store food in their rooms. The rule wasn't so strictly enforced until recently. I could hazard a guess as to why that changed.

I looked back towards the sky. The bright, fiery ball of sunshine was high in the sky, peaking out between clouds.

"What time is it?" I asked Timothy.

He looked at his watch. I had learned that there was no electricity in this world despite them having 'electronics' similar to ones back home when I tried to give Ezra a helpful tip on putting his phone in rice after he dropped it in water. He had looked at me in confusion and a discussion ensued where I learned that all the 'electronic devices' that I had seen were powered by magic. They were magical devices.

"Almost two."

I wanted to cry. My stomach growled. I had missed lunch, once again. I hadn't had much to eat for breakfast either. My stomach still turned at the memory of events that took place last night. "I think I've had enough of a break. I should go finish my work. Shit ain't going to shovel itself." Wait. I stopped as I was walking away, looking at him over my shoulder. "Can it?" I asked hopefully.

He looked at me strangely. "Unless you're hiding the fact that you're one of the high breeds, sorry, but you're going to have to put in the manual effort."

I groaned. Of course. Why not give the ability to effortlessly do such work to those who find it beneath them.

I grudgingly walked back towards the barn. I should probably clean out Lyria's stall before she realized I was in there and decided to be compliant with Kia to torment me.

As I entered, I caught the faintest scent of mint and sage. Just inside the entrance stood Ezra- a woven basket in his hand.

He smiled when he caught sight of me. "Hey, Nea."

"Hi." I walked over to where I left my shovel while I took a break. "What are you doing here?"

He grabbed the shovel from my hands- a wrinkle of disgust on his nose. He set it back against the wall before washing his hand in the large, freestanding utility sink.

"Wash up," he instructed.

"Why?" I asked, confused.

He grinned. "We're going on a picnic."

His answer surprised me. "But I have work to do."

"It can wait."

Looking down at the basket in his hands, my mouth salivated thinking about the foods it may hold. I would be missing dinner anyways, so what would it matter if I had to work longer into the night if I could fill my belly right now? I already knew I wouldn't get much sleep- last night's nightmares had kept me tossing and turning all night. The attack had brought the worst of my memories out of their resting place. I didn't have much hope for tonight being any better, so sleep would be elusive regardless of if I had to work late or not.

It wasn't a hard decision to make.

"Okay."

I washed up and followed him. There was only so much I could accomplish in a utility sink. He didn't show any sign of complaint at the smell that I probably gave off. I had become nose blind to the stink after already being surrounded by it for the past hour.

I observed him closely. It didn't seem like he knew what occurred in the bathes last night. I hadn't seen Andreas or the other two so far, so I assumed Zev had the situation handled with Cassius.

I felt a weight I didn't know I carried lift off at the realization they hadn't told Ezra. That probably meant they didn't tell anyone else, either. It was a relief. I didn't want others to know. I didn't want anyone looking at me differently. They always did when they found out these things. With either pity or disgust.

We walked across the open field and into the wooded area.

"Where are we going," I asked, gazing up that the treetop. The sunlight filtered through the vibrant canopy of overlapping branches and leaves. The treetops shaded the ground below, but random beams of light broke through the leaves.

"I want to show you a special spot I found a few years ago. I realized you haven't had a chance to see much of anything besides the manor and stables."

He helped me over a large fallen tree in our path. We walked through the mystical-looking woods. Ezra provided no more information about this 'special spot 'we were headed to only saying that I'll see when we get there. He pointed out plants as we walked, telling me which ones were safe and used in potions and medicine, and which ones were toxic and poisonous. It surprised me how many things we encountered on our walk that could kill me.

We walked past a beautiful flower. The edges of its pointed petals were a deep, royal blue, it faded to a beautiful lilac colour towards the center where bright red pistils sat. I reached out, the need to feel the smooth petals was compelling, but Ezra's hand clamped down on my wrist stopping me.

"That's a Siren's Bloom," he said, pulling me away.

I thought it would be safe to touch it. He hadn't identified any of the flowers we walked by as being dangerous. I looked back at the stunning bloom. I still wanted to touch it. To feel and caress the velvety smooth petals and smell the bittersweet fragrance it gave off.

"Don't go within a two-meter radius of that plant. As its name implies- it's a siren. It gives off hormones that lure in prey, tempting them to touch. Once you do, thick vines that are hidden beneath the soil will shoot out and grab you. It'll squeeze the life out of you before breaking down and devouring your remains with enzymes."

I swallowed as my mouth dried.

Right.

Don't pet the wildlife.

Got it.

"I wouldn't suggest going into these woods on your own," he said as we continued. "Or anywhere really. And never try to touch the pretty things. They always end up being the deadliest."

"Does that mean that you're deadly?" I teased.

He looked back at me. A small smirk played on his lips as his eyes twinkled. "Deadly? No. A poison that will slowly spread and consume you until all you can focus on is me? Possibly."

Butterflies swarmed in my belly. When had Ezra gone from blushing at the smallest complement to countering with the intent to kill?

Teasing him had backfired. Now I was the flustered one.

We continued walking for a few more minutes before the tree line broke into a semi-circular clearing. My eyes widened in awe.

The area was covered in soft, plush grass. There was a clear, sparkling lake on the far side. A waterfall filtered through the rock wall on the other side into the lake. Moss and plants grew up the steep rock side between cracks. A deer-like creature had been drinking the crystal clear water that gave a stunning view of the bottom of the lake and the creatures swimming within it but it had darted off at the sound of our approach.

It was breathtaking.

It was magical.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

I turned back to look at Ezra. Awe must have been apparent on my face- his smile grew.

"Come on, you must be hungry."

He walked closer to the lake's edge and pulled out a large red blanket. Spreading it on the ground he gestured me to sit as he began pulling out covered dishes.

Taking my shoes off, I settled comfortably beside him.

My eyes couldn't help but look around. There were small clusters of flowers freckled through the grass- pinks, purples, and blues. Larger ones and long grass were around the lake that rippled as the multicoloured marine life swam within its clear water. The most eye-catching flowers were the white ones that resembled crescent moons. The open side where the points neared faced upwards and long, glass-like, thin strings hung from the points. They glistened when beams of sun hit them just right.

"Those are Moonflowers."

I looked back at Ezra. "Creative name," I said with a smile.

He laughed. The light, airy sound tickled my ears pleasantly. I had missed hearing the carefree gentleness that he radiated. Sometimes I wished I didn't heal so fast so I could have those mornings with him again.

"I never said the Ancient Ones were creative people."

I looked down at the spread he had put out while I had been looking around. There was a platter with cheese, crackers, and meat, a bowl of chocolate-covered strawberries with blue icing drizzled over them, a bottle of a light pink drink, and two large sandwiches. I placed a hand over my crumbling stomach, licking my lips.

I hadn't expected this. This picnic. Ezra. They were both unexpected but in the best ways.

"Stop drooling and dig in. It's meant to be eaten not started at like it's the greatest treasure you've ever seen."

I picked up the sandwich, unwrapped it, and took a giant bite. "It might just be," I said around a mouth full.

"If you think this is good, you should let me cook you dinner one of these days." He picked up his own sandwich.

"You made all this?" I just assumed he had asked the chefs to prepare everything.

He nodded. "These are just simple foods, nothing impressive. Just wait till you taste my complex dishes." He- unlike me- took a civilized bite. "It's surprising how similar cooking and potion and tonic making are. With each of them, you just throw various things together and hope for the best, learning from trial and error."

"I bet you don't lose your eyebrows while cooking," I laughed.

Ah, there was that blush I thought was gone. "You'd be surprised."

I laughed out loud the way only Ezra could make me. "How many different times have you had to draw your eyebrows on while waiting for them to grow back?"

"I only recently started doing that. It was Jaxon's idea- granted he was going more for a singular eyebrow look."

My laugh quieted at the mention of Jaxon. I was still furious at him for what he did to me that day in the foyer, but last night's incident had been turning my anger into worry. What if he took the whole master/slave thing and the spanking in the same direction as Andreas took things? What if his hatred made him want to hurt me in the same way?

I finished the sandwich and bunched up the wrapping, placing it to the side.

"This is the first time I've had a picnic," I said, taking a strawberry. The sweet juices filled my mouth as I took a bit. The chocolate wasn't a hard shell-like I expected, but a soft, fudgy coating. It was delicious, and if possible, tasted...more. Like all the flavours were heightened.

"You've never been on one with your family? Or a date?" He asked.

I considered brushing his question off like usual whenever he tried to ask me anything personal- which was quite often, but I decided to give him a little bit of information. He deserved it after preparing all this and feeding me.

"My family never had picnics like this. We sometimes had days where we would barbeque outside and have fun, but not a packed picnic on a blanket by the lake," I picked up another strawberry. "As for a date... I've never been on one," I admitted.

I looked up from the strawberry I had bitten as I felt Ezra's thumb swipe over my lower lip. He was so much closer. His arm closest to me was stretched out behind my back, supporting his weight as he leaned towards me. He pulled his thumb away; a smudge of chocolate was visible on the pad. He slowly brought it up to his mouth and licked it off, his eyes locked on mine the whole time.

I stopped myself from squirming and swallowed.

"So, I'm your first?" He had a teasing smile on his lips. His tongue darted out as his eyes flicked to my lips. "It's an honour." His voice was lower.

He leaned closer, watching my expression carefully. I found myself mirroring his action, getting closer. I could feel his breath caress my lips. A few more centimetres and his lips would be on mine.

The sound of bushes rustling made me jump. I backed away from him quickly.

What the hell was I doing?

I quickly got up and put my boots back on, almost tripping and landing on my face.

"Nea-"

"I should get back. I still have a lot of work to get done."

"Nea-"

I finished pulling my boot on with a sharp tug, turned, and marched into the trees.

"Nea, wait! You shouldn't go in there on your own!"

I didn't slow down. I needed to leave. Now.

My mind and heart raced. Thoughts flooded my brain. Some my own, others the product of the tragedies life had forced onto me. One question rang the loudest amount them all. A result of years of mistreatment and reinforced by what happened last night. A question that ruined the innocence of the picnic.

Was this how he wanted me to pay him back? Was this the price? My body?

Was the picnic to make me compliant? Make me feel like I owed it to him?

I wanted to be like the giggling girls who swooned at the sight of handsome men, who dreamed fairy tales of men sweeping them off their feet and into a better life filled with love.

But I wasn't.

The love I knew was a twisted and fucked up abomination. It was tainted. It could never be pure, contaminated forever with the darkness that I had to adapt to, to survive.

Love?

I wanted to laugh hysterically.

Really? A man treated me kindly, healed the wound he was partially to blame for, and took me on a picnic date and my mind jumped straight to love? How needy and desperate could I get?

I could hear Ezra follow me. He must have abandoned the picnic supplies to make sure I didn't accidentally get myself killed. Death by flower. A pathetic way to go after everything I had survived.

A pang of guilt shot through my stomach at his concern for my wellbeing. My steps faltered. I stopped.

Taking a deep breath, I centred myself. Going through the multiplication tables in my head, I pushed the memories and stigmas influencing my thoughts away.

My nails bit into the palms of my hands as I clenched them into fists. I felt anger. I was letting my past influence what I knew about Ezra. I was letting the bad memories shape the kind and caring man I knew into the monsters I was used to. Shame filled me at the realization.

"Nea?" He hesitantly asked. He left space between us, not wanting to make me uncomfortable or feel threatened.

The guilt and shame grew.

Ezra wasn't the kind of man that would demand anything in exchange for food. If he was, there would have been no way in hell that my instincts would have let me follow him alone into the woods. My body subconsciously trusted him.

I trusted him.

"I... I just need some space to think," I said without turning, not prepared to face him just yet.

He was quiet for a moment. "Okay."

My heart ached. His voice was crestfallen.

I continued to walk back to the stables. He followed me at a distance, silent.