It is silent in the halls of Goldheart Manor while Alyssa sits in her bedroom. Her light yellow nightgown clings to her thin body as she sits in a soft-cushioned chair and looks into a seven-foot mirror. She mindlessly brushes and curls her shoulder-length blonde hair before placing a silver, banded jade-encrusted tiara on her head. The silver ornament rests comfortably on her pointed ears until she violently snatches the tiara off her head and hurls it across the room. A mild curse escapes her lips when she feels blood trickle down the back of her ears. Alyssa is patting at the fresh cuts with a silk scarf when a loud knock on the door makes her jump. Her orange eyes are filled with anger, but they quickly melt into twin pools of demure innocence.

“Are you okay, Lady Goldheart? I heard a crash as I was walking by,” says a concerned, male voice from the other side of the door.

“I am fine. I tripped over my own foot. Go about your business,” Alyssa orders the guard, her voice kind and soothing.

She can hear the subtle motions of a quick salute. “Yes, milady!”

The sound of armored feet fades down the hallway and Alyssa goes back to toying with her hair. It is minutes later when a small breeze sends a shiver down her spine. The young elf stares at the slightly open doors that lead to her balcony before a bitter smirk crosses her face. Without a second thought, she gets to her feet and storms over to the stained-glass doors. She shoves them open to find a bouquet of three wood lilies tied together with a maple leaf sitting in the middle of the balcony.

“I wondered when you would show your face around here,” Alyssa growls. She picks up the flowers and carelessly tosses them over the railing before going back into her room.

Alyssa wastes no time in grabbing a black robe from her wardrobe and stepping into the brightly lit halls of Goldheart Manor. There is no need for candles because the stone walls are magically emitting a warm light. A few guards see the mayor rush past them with her robe held tightly around her, but they merely salute and go back to their rounds. It takes several minutes for her to reach the far side of the mansion where she stops at a suit of dwarven armor. Alyssa angrily thrusts her arm under the breastplate after making sure that she is alone. She slowly twists a thumb-sized dial within the armor until the wall behind her opens to reveal a staircase rising into the shadows. The determined elf steps into the doorway before the wall closes and she immediately begins sprinting up the stairs. A minute later she emerges onto a large balcony that is hidden by the ancient pine trees surrounding the manor. Standing in the middle of the balcony is Luke who quickly leaps away from the charging elf.

“Violence isn’t necessary,” Luke contends while he continues dodging Alyssa.

“The hell it is! You left me at the altar and made the happiest day of my life a nightmare! You made me the laughing stock of high society for weeks,” she snarls. A wild swing sends her toppling forward and Luke catches her by the shoulders. He can see her blush before a solid slap to the side of his head knocks him to the ground.

“I’m sorry, Alyssa. I really am,” Luke swears, holding the numb side of his face. “To be honest, I didn’t want to ever come back to Haven because of what I did.”

“That would have been great for both of us!” Alyssa exclaims, tears trickling down her cheeks. “I’ve spent the last year dealing with the pain of you abandoning me. Then, you show up using our secret message and have me meet you at our special place. I don’t need this aggravation, Luke!”

“You could have ignored the message or sent guards to arrest me for trespassing if you didn’t want to face me,” Luke points out.

Alyssa clenches her fist and grinds it against her hip. “I’ve wanted to see you again for an entire year.”

“If you hate me then why would you ever want to see me again?” Luke asks before he can figure it out on his own.

Alyssa wipes her eyes with the sleeve of her robe before walking over to the railing and leaning against it. Luke takes a seat where he is as he watches Alyssa carefully. She meets his gaze with a pitiful expression and forces him to look the other way. It is enough of a distraction for the fleet-footed elf to rush at Luke and slam into him. Alyssa pins him to the ground by griping the half-elf by the throat and placing a solid knee against his groin.

“This really isn’t necessary,” Luke gasps.

“I don’t want you running away until we’re done talking,” Alyssa growls, her eyes eerily predatory.

“Just let me go and let’s talk like adults,” Luke suggests.

Alyssa loosens her grip enough for Luke to move. “Why did you come back to Haven? You finally started to feel guilty?”

“I’ve felt guilty about what I did for a long time, but it isn’t like my actions should have surprised you,” Luke answers, slipping out from underneath Alyssa and getting to his feet. “I told you a week before the wedding that I refused to go through with it, but you ignored me. I can see that you kept that conversation a secret in order to make yourself out to be more of a poor, innocent victim.”

“I would have looked like a bigger fool if people knew that I was aware of your intentions,” Alyssa stubbornly contends. “Besides, I had hoped you would realize your mistake when you realized that I still wanted to go through with our marriage.”

“Why were you willing to marry me?”

“Believe it or not, I love you.”

“You mean that you loved me.”

“That’s what I said.”

“You just said that you love me,” Luke nervously says. “That’s present tense, Alyssa.”

Alyssa blushes slightly and looks to the dark forest. “I will admit that I still have some residual feelings for you. We grew up together and you were my first love, so it isn’t an easy thing for me to get over. It’s especially difficult with all the wild stories that are going around about you.”

“This is exactly why I came back. I have no idea what everyone has been hearing about me,” Luke claims, extending his hand to Alyssa only to have it slapped away in disgust.

“It all comes back to your reputation. Never about fixing the problems that you left behind,” Alyssa snaps. She gracefully flips to her feet and fixes her robe.

“I’m visiting you, aren’t I?” Luke asks, his frustration growing. “I’d say that shows my intention to repair the damage that I caused.”

“Are you doing it for your own conscience or for the sake of those you left behind?” Alyssa counters. She wraps her robe tightly around her when a cool breeze rushes over the balcony.

“I’m doing it for both reasons. I need to settle my past before I tackle my future. Also, I believe that I’ve matured enough to handle everything,” Luke answers. He subtly moves so that he is shielding Alyssa from some of the night breeze. “A year ago, I didn’t know how to explain my dreams to people without sounding like a fool. It always made the situation worse. Now, I know how to explain myself with confidence.”

“Don’t insult my intelligence, Luke,” Alyssa callously scoffs. “You’re still the trouble-maker that I grew up with.”

“This is exactly why I wanted to wait before seeing you. I had no time to prepare for this much venom. I’m just going to handle the rumor problem and go home,” Luke says, stretching his arms behind his back. “What stories have you heard? I promise to tell you the truth.”

Alyssa crosses her arms and eyes him cautiously. “How do I know you won’t lie?”

“Name one time that I ever lied to you, Alyssa.” Luke watches as the elf bites her lip in frustration. Several times, she looks like she is about to speak, but she quickly stops herself. “I want to go home, Alyssa, so just tell me what you’ve heard.”

Reluctantly, Alyssa begins talking in a low, wounded voice. “The big news is you and Kira Grasdon becoming a couple. I was rather shocked about that news until I heard that she was attending a military school, which is where she met you. I guess it makes sense that you would go for a southern desert girl since they are provocative and exotic. Nothing like what you’re used to. Though, they can be rather adulterous. My friends all know about how Kira has been bedded more times than a retired Gaian whore.”

“That’s the dumbest thing that I have ever heard,” Luke laughs, his fists clenched in anger.

“So, you aren’t with Kira Grasdon?” Alyssa asks with a gleam in her star-like eyes.

“I’m with Kira, but your circle is entirely wrong about her. She was a virgin when I met her,” Luke answers without thinking.

“And you know this because she told you? You are far too trusting,” Alyssa claims with a flamboyant wave of her hand.

“No. It’s because she and I . . . you know . . . So, what other stories have you heard? I beat a Hellfire Elf,” Luke nervously says.

Alyssa growls and clenches her fist until her nails pierce her palm. “You lost your virginity to Kira Grasdon?”

“I did. So what? She lost her virginity to me. There isn’t any reason for you to get angry about it,” the half-elf points out.

“Of course, there is a reason for me to get angry. You were promised to me,” she says, her face flushed.

“I was promised to be your husband and we saw how that ended. I seriously doubt you’ve saved yourself for me,” Luke mentions. He has a momentary regret over what he said until he remembers Alyssa’s words about Kira.

“You’re such an ass!”

“You’re a stuck-up brat!”

“For once, I wish you would think of my feelings before you speak.”

“You think you’re any different than me?” Luke accusingly declares. “You insult me and tell me lies about my girlfriend. After calling her a whore, you shouldn’t be surprised that I refuse to play nice.”

“You really love her?” Alyssa whimpers with a new batch of tears streaming down her face.

“Yes. Kira and I understand each other better than anyone else. When I’m with Kira, I feel like there is nothing put on me because of my lineage,” Luke explains, his voice soft and tender. “Even though I grew up with you, Alyssa, you treat me like everyone else does. You expect more from me because I’m a Callindor and it’s been that way since we were kids. I always had to take the blame for the trouble we caused because people would simply say I was acting like a Callindor. You never stepped up to defend me.”

“You are a Callindor and that is how everyone should treat you. You deserve the praise and esteem that you receive whether you become a great hero or not,” Alyssa says, a hint of pride in her voice.

Luke sighs to himself and begins to walk toward the marble railing. “Thank you for proving me right.”

Before he can leap to the nearest tree, Alyssa calls out to him. “Is it true that you were scarred by a magical weapon?”

“It was in a fight with a Hellfire Elf. See for yourself,” he offers. Alyssa turns around to see Luke stepping off the railing and undoing his shirt. She timidly approaches him as he reveals the pink scar that runs from his left shoulder to his lower right side. Luke takes in a hiss of air when her cold hand touches his skin.

“Does it hurt?” she asks, her hand still on his chest

“No, but your hand is cold.”

“I guess we’re having a moment.”

Luke smiles as he mentions, “I guess we are.”

“Remember that time when we were in my room and we decided to wrestle? I tore open your shirt and you ripped my dress down the back,” Alyssa whispers, continuing to delicately trace the scar. “Then, my father walked in and thought we were doing something indecent. I was so embarrassed even though I was only eight and had no idea what he was upset about.”

“I remember your dad looked like he was going to toss me through a window before he remembered that we were only kids,” Luke says with a chuckle. “How is your father? I should probably apologize to him.”

Alyssa begins to cry again, her hand shaking against his chest. “He passed away from heart rot a little over three months ago. I guess you wouldn’t know that.”

“I’m sorry, Aly,” Luke whispers, giving her a tight hug. Alyssa resists for a second before she curls against him.

“I’ve been acting mayor ever since he died. I . . . I really hoped that you would come back . . . to help me,” the elf stutters through her tears. “I missed having you around to make me laugh. I even missed when you called me Aly just to get me to chase you.”

“Well, I’m back for a few days,” he assures her, gently stroking her short, blond hair. “I can do what I can, but you know that I can’t stay. I made a promise to help my friend and that promise might take us all over Windemere before we’re done.”

“I want the truth, Luke. Did you ever love me?” Alyssa asks, holding her mouth an inch from his ear.

Luke sighs before admitting, “Yes. I loved you, but I don’t believe it was the type of love that meant we should be married. I was too busy rebelling and you kept trying to tame me. It would have been a disaster.”

“I didn’t know what else to do to keep you,” Alyssa claims.

“There was nothing that you could have done. We would have fallen apart eventually,” Luke says, his breathing getting heavy. “Anyway, all of that is in the past and we’re different people. I’ll come by tomorrow afternoon with my friends to introduce them.”

He is about to let go of Alyssa when she grabs him by the face and kisses him with all her strength. He immediately notices that her lips are soft, but they taste tangier than Kira’s.

The sound of a large sword being unsheathed catches Luke’s attention and he opens his eyes to see a bare-chested man on the balcony. His wrists and ankles are adorned with thick circlets of silver. The brown-skinned warrior is much bigger than Luke and his curved sword makes the half-elf’s sabers look like metal toothpicks. A look of rage fills the man’s deep blue eyes as he advances on the forest tracker. It takes less than a second for Luke to let go of Alyssa, draw his own swords, and back away toward the railing.

“Don’t hurt him, Caspar,” Alyssa pleads to the large warrior.

“I will not let you take advantage of Lady Goldheart’s emotions. Leave here or I will be forced to kill you,” the warrior demands, silently moving toward Luke with surprising grace.

“I wasn’t taking advantage of anyone,” Luke argues.

“It’s true, Caspar,” Alyssa states in a panic. The worry in her voice makes Luke begin to feel that this man is not someone to underestimate. “Luke was hugging me while I cried about my father and I became overwhelmed. I kissed him without thinking. I’m very sorry, honey.”

Caspar grins widely, revealing glistening white teeth. “So, this is the famous Luke Callindor, the boy who I replaced in your heart. I was hoping to meet you after Alyssa and Kira told me about you. I thought you would be shorter from the stories.”

“You’re engaged!” Luke exclaims once the thought pops into his head.

“Caspar and I have been together for six months and we were betrothed last month. I guess I should have told you,” Alyssa apologetically admits.

“That information would have been nice to know. I notice that he is aware of our secret meeting place. You really did go ahead and replace me, Alyssa,” Luke says, his eyes never leaving Caspar. “So, you’re name is Caspar. From your appearance, I take it you’re from Bor’daruk like Kira Grasdon.” He starts to circle around the southern warrior, hoping to find a blind spot, but the large man turns with him cautiously.

“Yes, but that isn’t where I met your woman,” explains Caspar with a wide, goading smile. “She was at a celebration in Gaia a week ago where I was working as a bodyguard. Her father was there and persuaded her to . . . try out other men instead of waiting patiently for you. Both of us have sworn our hearts to others who are not ready to settle down, so we had no misgivings about the situation. It is a shame that you refuse to share our tradition. It would certainly relieve some of your stress. I recommend that you find another woman to be with even if it is just once, Luke. It is the only way that you will be sure that Kira and you are meant to be. That look in your eyes tells me that you aren’t happy.”

“It’s your culture, but that doesn’t mean I have to enjoy hearing about Kira sleeping with other people,” Luke says through clenched teeth.

“Do you wish to kill me?” Caspar asks.

“No. You and Kira merely upheld your cultural traditions,” Luke answers, his anger evaporating into the cool air.

“That is a shame,” Caspar declares in disappointment. “I wished to see you in action after all the stories that I have heard. I did not expect you to be so . . . accommodating and understanding after Alyssa described you as a heartless, temperamental boar. It would seem she was exaggerating, but I can understand where her venom for you comes from.” He fluidly sheaths his sword and folds his arms across his chest. “Now, I must repeat my demand that you leave the manor at once. Return in the morning if you wish, but know that at this time of night you are not welcomed.”

Alyssa punches the muscular warrior in the arm. “Don’t listen to him, Luke. You can visit here as long as I’m not busy. We should mend our friendship for our parents’ sake. Just don’t expect me to meet you here ever again. We aren’t children and we aren’t betrothed anymore. You and I are no longer anything special to each other. We are barely friends.”

“That’s how it should be,” Luke states, averting his eyes from Alyssa. “Well, it was nice meeting you, Caspar. Maybe we can spare before I leave.”

He sheaths his swords and silently walks to the railing. Alyssa is about to walk over to him when Caspar puts a gentle hand on her shoulder. She looks up at him with tears in her eyes and lets him hold her against his side. She watches Luke out of the corner of her eye as he dives into the surrounding pine trees and swiftly climbs to the ground. Luke darts into the shadows as soon as he hits the ground. He turns around to see Caspar silently watching him until he completely vanishes into the dark forest.

The quiet forest gives Luke time to reflect on his thoughts, which are torn between relief and worry. On one hand, Alyssa is happy and she doesn’t entirely hate him. Given time, they might even be able to return to being friends. Though, he did get a sense that she is not entirely over him. It isn’t a sense that she is still in love with him, but a curious desire for what might have been. If he stays around too long, he could unintentionally cause trouble between her and Caspar. The last thing he wants to do is get into a fight with Caspar over a misunderstanding. Even worse, a fight with the desert warrior could cause a problem between himself and Kira.

By the time he reaches the backdoor of his parents’ house, Luke makes a relaxing decision. “I’m just going to go about my life and let it play out around me.”