CHIN UP!

The couple with the other nobles watched as the strange gentleman assisted the witch into a carriage. And they whipped away. Only the sound of their departure filled their surroundings.

A thin silence filled the carriage as they sat in silence. Lucinda has refused to turn to him since he slipped into her carriage. And with all eyes on her she couldn't question him when he sat beside her.

All she wanted to do was get home to Theodore. Protect him from Magnus, protect him from this society; him from their world.

"Lucinda.." of course this hearing was going to be unfair. What had she expect?

"Lucinda.." she couldn't let Valerie get close to her son. She has to think. She had aways come up with solutions, she could over come this-

"Lucinda." A heavy palm to her shoulder startled her.

She blinked and slowly turned to her side.

Silas.

His mask was off and his blue eyes looked striking in the low lighting of the carriage.

His brows was pulled together and lips pursed.

A second blink and he had drew closer to her. She parted her lips to speak but ended up swallowing when he drew closer again, his lips to her ear. The tantalizing scent of him wafted around her; wrapping around her, filling her head with intruding thoughts. His presence so close.... so intoxicating .

"Breath Lucinda" his baritone voice drawled deeply.

She watched speechless as he reached his hand to curl a dark lock around his fingers. His fingers skimming the side of her neck. Her skin tingled.

His fingers skimmed a short part to gently tilt her chin.

"Chin up Lucinda. You haven't lost the fight yet." His intense gaze bore into hers.

Unconsciously Lucinda shoulders straightened, the words as familiar as a striking woman with wise green eyes.

His statement lingered in the air between them throughout the ride back, along with his spicy scent and the gentle touch of his fingers that felt like a pulsing imprint.

The cloud was heavy with impending rain and thunder rumbled as they wheeled to a stop . Lucinda took a deep breath steadying herself. Theodore could read her, she couldn't show any sign of worry to him.

Descending the carriage, with the help of Silas, she was greeted with the sight of Theodore seated on the cold steps leading up to the house and as if on cue he looked up and caught her gaze. Recognition dawn in his bright green eyes as he sprang up.

"Mama!" Theodore called and ran towards them stumbling a little on the way. All her composure and facade slipped as a strangled laughter filled with joy and pain left her throat before she could stop herself as her feet moved rapidly to meet him. Crouching down he wrapped his small arms around her and she took him into her embraced. Smelling his clean mildly sweat scent filled her heart till she almost chocked on a sob. Lucinda was so close to loosing him. Though the war hasn't ended, she had won the battle and that all that matters right now.

He was still safe in her arms and the light in his eyes still bright.

As Lucinda pulled away and looked over at him she couldn't bear the thought of him not being here with her. Her sweet innocent boy would always be with her. That she would make sure off.

Another carriage rolled to a stop behind them and Connor descended with a frown, looking at Frederick who alighted from the other side of the carriage his face a calm mask like someone wasn't staring at him with an annoying intensity.

Lucinda and Theodore pulled away and as lucinda rubbed her son chubby cheeks he tilted his head to see behind Lucinda then his eyes brightened in mirth and he ran up to Lord Silas.

"Mama you came with new papa. Are we gonna play?"

Lucinda was at a loss of words. How was she to tell her son we won't be staying here. She only allowed him to stay because of the show they had to put on.

Before she could trouble herself much futher, Silas spoke up first.

"Actually young one," he lowered himself. "As much as it deeply pains me to say this. I have matters to attend to at the moment".

Theodore eyes dulled and he pouted with a sad face.

In an attempt to fix what he must have made a mess "Don't fret young one. We'll see soon" He went closer to whisper in Theodore ears " this evil lord hasn't give up on your mama just yet" he pulled back with a reassuring low chuckle which the child beamed at. With a enthusiastic nod of his little head his little curls bounced, Silas stood up and with a nod of greeting to Lucinda he turned and hurriedly boarded his carriage.

"You didn't encounter any problem, did you?" Silas said nodding to a box in Frederick hands.

"All was taken care of my lord". Federick bit back calmly, thinking of the quite persistent guard that kept asking him about the box in his possession on the ride to the lady's place.

"Is all we need present?" All trace of teasing left his voice.

With a heavy nod Frederick drop the box on the cushioned seat opposite them and opened it. A flash of lightning cracked the dark sky.

With each crack of thunder, the air thickened with anticipation. Lord Silas cool tone masked the urgency of their mission. As the lightning flashed again, revealing the deadly arsenal before them, a sense of impending danger filled the carriage . "We aren't too late, my Lord," Frederick said, his voice steady but his words laden with gravity. The brewing storm outside mirrored the turmoil within, amplifying the urgency of their task. Silas blue eyes flashed with malice as his jaw tightened with a silent vow.