"You will wait here until I return." Ghain 'dea had said before he left almost an hour ago. Firynei thought she would have to stay with her master the entire time, but she was left in the guest courtyard with the rest of the attendants.

While they prepared the guest house for their master, she stood admiring the flowers in the garden within the courtyard. She much preferred being alone than within a group. She worked alone most of the time as the only unclean Danu in Asila. Solitude was something she was used to and thoroughly enjoyed. She felt safe when she was unaccompanied.

Absentmindedly her fingers played with the jewel at the nape of her neck. Her master had gone so far as to remove the yellow jewel indicator that announced her status as an impure Danu. It made her nervous to wear the green jewel. Still, the red cloudy beaded bracelet could not be removed. She pulled down her puffy gray sleeve over the bracelet. She was deceiving the people of Seukine and anyone from Asila that didn't know her, but she had to obey her master. It was the law even if Ghain 'dea was technically not the true master of Asila. He was a stand-in since his father was still alive.

Meaning she could not go against his will even if it was adverse for her. Going against him was certain death for a slave. Servants could at least be let go, but Danus were property. Who would say a word if one broke their tools?

Sighing she clutched her sleeve tightly, peering down at the lake full of pink flowers blossoms. They were flowers she had seen before but along with them were white flowers of a peculiar shape. Like enormous snowflakes drifting across the water.

She stepped closer to the edge of the white wooden bridge. She had never seen such clear water in a lake like this. There were even fish moving about in the crystal-clear depths. Seukine was certainly different from Asila.

As she waited in deep thought, she didn't hear the approaching footsteps on the bridge. It was done so quickly that she had no time to react as she was shoved into the water below.

The freezing water was a shock to her body but thankfully she held her breath as she hit the water. Firynei stood up immediately and was in chest-deep water. She looked up but saw no one on the bridge. She felt angry but swallowed it down. It wasn't the first time that she had been pranked. At the very least she wasn't injured this time around. She waded to the edge of the lake and crawled out calmly. She checked her Danu cap making sure it was still secure. Sighing in relief that she didn't have to fix it she looked around.

She was soaked to the bone but didn't dare look for help. Instead, she was looking for any attendants to let someone know she needed to change her clothes. Strangely no one was around. Ghain 'dea was a strict master. If he told one to wait one would wait until he returned. No matter the circumstances. She would have to wait until he returned to obtain permission if she could not find an attendant to help her.

She was about to head back to the bridge when a figure caught her eyes. A man clothed in all black. He was wearing a mask over his face and he felt imposing.

She knew this was the man that had pushed her, "Y-you pushed me in?"

Stepping back cautiously she began to move away from the man. He said nothing but suddenly sprinted toward her. She turned and fled from the man knowing that she was in danger. There were no attendants around even though they should be preparing for the master. This was not an ordinary prank. She moved speedily across the bridge and though her wet clothes slowed her down she wouldn't stop moving until she got away. The man was down behind her like a mad dog. She looked back to see the large man lunging at her. She tensed as the weight of the man crashed into her.

The wind was knocked out of her and her head hit the end of the bridge railing. It knocked her senseless for a few seconds. It was enough time for the man to tear her uniform. Thankfully it laced in the back but he was strong. Her collar was torn viciously and the stitching at her shoulder was pulled apart exposing her shoulder. She was about to scream but received a quick blow to the jaw. She was overwhelmed by the attack and fear had seized her heart.

Her heart pounded loudly in her chest and she felt light-headed from hitting her head. Tears were welling up in her eyes, but she never stopped fighting with her attacker. She was finally able to knock off the man's mask and reveal his face.

"Get off of me!" she screamed as Guard Ji' Eriseni sneered came into view. Firynei wasted no time and grabbed at his face as he grabbed her neck. She attempted to gouge his eyes out and the man punched her in the chest twice before wresting her hands from his face. He swallowed a grunt of pain as he clutched at his face, blood rushing down his cheeks.

Firynei didn't linger. She crawled away until she could run but it was mostly stumbling. She didn't know where she was going but she could hear him yelling her name as she ran. She looked back several times and saw him running behind her. She took so many paths she got lost, but he still followed and there was now another man in black with him now. She desperately wanted to yell for help but who would come for her.

If she caused trouble she would be beaten to death. Asila had a reputation that was to be upheld no matter what. Causing trouble would only bring embarrassment to the Lashir family. Embarrassment meant death for her. She didn't know what to do but making noise would be the least desirable option.

Somehow, she found her way into a broad garden full of beautiful flowers and grand pathways. There was a beautiful pavilion ahead that she could hide in if she could just make it there. Looking back to see if she was still being pursued, she tripped just as she made it to the entrance.

As she fell she landed abruptly on something hard. She yelped and got her bearings looking at what she had fallen on. It was, unfortunately, a person. She was in the lap of someone of the household. Her dirty wet clothes ruined the pristine white cloak of the man. She hurried to get up but her bracelet had snagged in between the intricate blossom and vine designs in the wheelchair.

The man's face remained impassive. Not even a hint of emotions was revealed on his face. His eyes remained closed even though she had fallen on to him.

Unlike her master, this man was quite androgynous. His pale skin seemed unnatural in the shade of the pavilion and it gave off an ethereal impression. Generous pale pink lips were pressed into a tight line now and she had forgotten she was supposed to be getting her wrist free of the chair. She was caught up in his enchantment.

He was more beautiful than handsome. His nose was straight and long, but the tip tilted upward just a bit to be cute. Her eyes traveled up to his brow which was slightly strong with immaculate eyebrows that were just a bit thick. She could clearly see he was a male.

Ghain 'dea was handsome with a trickster's smile, but this man was like the paintings older attendants spoke about being in the palace. This person was the kind of beauty that represented the high noble class. Even though his eyes were closed, Firynei felt that if they were opened they would be as crystal-clear as the water in the lake. Except for the tiniest dusting of light brown and red freckles on the bridge of his nose he was the perfect epitome of elegance. His otherworldly grace and beauty made her feel like she was in front of the emperor which was even more reason to get off him.

He wasn't even speaking. He sat silently and Firynei struggled with her bracelet as the steel wire bit into her flesh.

"You dare!" the voice of a young man made her jump. Firynei looked back to see a well-dressed attendant coming closer with a swiftness that she didn't expect. "You wretched woman!"

She tried to explain but before she could open her mouth, she was slapped. She grabbed her cheek with her free hand as tears finally found freedom.

"You dare touch the master. You lowly slut—" It was at that exact moment that the attendant, that Firynei realized belatedly was a Rini, saw the bracelet trapped in the wheelchair.

"You! You bitch!" the next attack was a closed fist. Firynei whimpered from the strike as she fell back from the man. The Rini grabbed her free arm and forced her to the ground. Her arm still trapped by the bracelet. "You dare hide your status as impure. You dare touch the Master of Seukine!"

Firynei could only shake her head as she placed her face on the floor. She had no idea the man was the master of the estate. She didn't want this to happen. It wasn't her intention to do something so terrible.

"I am sorry. Danu Firynei is sorry. Please show mercy. Please."

"I had no idea I had such a brazen Danu. To scheme something so vile. What did you hope to accomplish?" Ghain 'dea walked up with a mocking expression. Firynei felt nothing but dread as she knew nothing good would come out of this for her. She was being used by her master.

"Master, I did not- Danu Firynei has not schemed. This was not my intention—"

"You will remain silent Danu Ro." Ghain 'dea said shaking his head. "Honored Estate Master Seulnine you have my profoundest apologies. I have overlooked such a shameful woman for too long. I only ask that you do not hold this against Asila. This indecent act must not be revealed as it will dishonor both of our families."

The attendant stepped to the side of the Estate Master and rested his hand palm up on the armrest of the wheelchair. The man touched the center of the Rini's palm. Firynei glanced up to see the display. It was her first time seeing a Child of the Golden Lights, Kren. The man had mastery over the natural forces found inside of every person alive. Firynei thought if he couldn't control Kren his life and duties would be almost impossible. From what she could see he could not speak nor did he have sight. He was also crippled. He would be worthless without his mastery over Kren. It only made her situation worse. To everyone else she took advantage of him because he was disabled.

The Rini began to speak and his words were different. It was the words of the Estate Master. "Master states, 'General Lashir, your Danu has committed an act of indecency toward me and all of Seukine. It is an act deserving of death. Yet, you ask that I bury this affair to leave us both intact. It is agreeable to me that this act is never revealed, but the Danu must be punished'."

"Death would be the most deserved punishment for an impure Danu that has acted so heinous." The general spoke with a hint of satisfaction. His eyes never leaving the person in the wheelchair.

Firynei knew her place but she still had to speak. She could not give in. "Danu Ro did not mean to commit this act. Danu Ro is simple and foolish. Please do not kill Danu Ro, Estate Master please, I beg of you!"

She pleaded with her face on the ground. She couldn't die wronged like this. She had promised her mother to stay alive until she returned home. She had vowed it in front of the stars and the moon. Over and over at the age of six, she promised her mother the entire night never to die until she fulfilled her wish. If she didn't return to Asila her mother would surely die of heartbreak.

"You will remain quiet." The Rini walked over to her and stepped on to the shoulder blade of her trapped arm. Firynei bit her bottom lip to stop any sound from spilling out. Her whimpers counted as noise. She learned that thoroughly in Asila.

The Seukine Master didn't move but he did turn his head slightly toward the Rini, who immediately went back to his position. The man took the Rini's hand, "Master states, 'You agree that she must die. Then it will be carried out now'."

The Rini then turn toward the main garden house and spoke loudly, "Let the executioner come and administer justice!"

Firynei felt a icy chill creep up from her toes to the crown of her head. She was going to die. As a Danu she had done something unforgivable. The reasons leading up to her mistake didn't matter only the results. She had touched the purest person in the household, the Master of the Estate. How could she ever pay for her crime with anything but her life?

She laid listless on her belly with her arm still in an awkward position. Her mind racing with thoughts of her mother. The woman would die knowing her last child alive left the world as a criminal. All her efforts to protect her was worthless.

How pathetic could she be?

How unfair could her life be?

No one would even listen to her pleas. She would die a pitiful death because her master was using her for some reason she didn't even understand. She could hear the inquisitor coming as the message was passed loudly through the courtyards. Only death awaited her now. She had no hope. She never did.