The first few weeks at the tailor were stressful ones for Hannah. From morning to evening, there were storms of customers – from fickle aristocrats to servants armed with strict want-lists. She mostly found herself bringing down, folding and unfolding, and putting back the fabrics, while Ginia and the women did the measurements and selling.

But she liked that there was so much to see, hear and learn – from the noblewomen's conversations, from roaming Dalen as she made deliveries, and bettering her sewing so that maybe someday she could make her own pieces, rather than just mend holes.

When the day came for Christopher to hand each of them their pay, he took some time to speak to her personally. "How are you finding the work here so far, Hannah?" he asked as they stood together in his little office. "I hope you're coping."

"I am. But I'd like to know what you think, really. I mean, I ... I hope you're happy with how I've been doing."

"I am," he answered, biting his lip like he was thinking over his words. "More than happy actually. You've surprised me."

"Oh."

"Thank you. For all your help."

Hannah was fully surprised. How strange, to be thanked like this! She was used to hard work, but not praise. More than the money, the appreciativeness in his voice encouraged her, gave her warmth.

Christopher released her for the night, and she returned to Magda's in a good mood, even though the weather made her walk a cold one. After dinner, she sat with her brother in her room, counting each coin.

"It's close to what I make," was Rio's verdict, as they gazed down at the gold towers between them. "I'm impressed, Hannah."

"Finally, I can start adding to our savings instead of taking from it."

"And you can come home at a more decent hour."

"Christopher and his wife are so nice," she admitted. "I wish we knew more people like them. I never feel as if they look down on me because of Jono's or where we come from. That's what I like about them."

"Imagine if we had a shop doing as well as them. We'd be rich."

"That is a nice idea. But somehow I can't imagine you selling silks."

"Being surrounded by women all day? I'd love it."

Hannah stopped, thinking she heard something outside. Loud feet, very unlike any of the nuns. There was a jarring knock on the door, and a confused pair of voices.

"Who is it?" she called.

"It's Macks."

Hannah didn't move, knowing her brother would leap up to answer, which he did. He opened the door, and there stood the Captain and Sister Vicki. She looked extremely displeased. "I'm sorry, Hannah. He insisted on coming up."

"It's alright."

Macks glanced at Sister Vicki, looking expectant. "Thank you, Sister," he told her, a bit loudly.

Sister Vicki pursed her lips, peering at Hannah and Rio for a moment before going away.

Macks shook his head as he came in and shut the door. "I don't know what the fuss was for. It's not like it's that late."

"Have you gotten any news?" Hannah asked him.

"Sit down, Captain," Rio insisted, dragging up a chair. "You look flushed."

"Just the air outside is all," he said, shivering inside his coat and rejecting the seat. "I hate winter."

"Well?" Hannah prompted. "What have you heard?"

He did a curt nod. "They are on their way home."

"Both of them?" Hannah asked.

"Yes."

"Are they safe?"

"They've been through a great deal over in Ulren, but yes, they are safe."

"What happened?"

"Stefan found a way to convince the Dells to release Alyssa. A sort of ... threat."

"What was the threat?"

"Well, first you have to understand that no one in Ulren wished to charge the family for what had happened, because Alyssa is their daughter. To them, she is as good as their property, thus in their eyes, no crime had occurred."

"That's sickening."

He raised his head, his face grim. "But you ... you're not their daughter."

"Me?"

"Yes. Stefan told them about how you were taken together with Alyssa, locked up and then cast into the woods alone. He threatened that your family was furious and wanted to see the culprits punished. He did weave a bit of a story about you coming from a wealthy, important family – but I find it was for a good cause."

"And they got scared?" Rio guessed.

"Scared enough that they agreed to let Alyssa go, yes."

"That's brilliant."

"Don't mistake me," the Captain said, facing Hannah. "I wish the Dells would pay for what they did to you."

"But I was never supposed to be involved. It was only a mistake."

"Are you not angry?"

"Right now, I only care that Alyssa comes home safe."

"Of course," he murmured, but he looked pensive. He breathed in, cocking a head around the room. "So how do you feel to be back at Magda's? Your brother told me about the move a few weeks ago. I hope you're not too upset about losing the old place."

"I suppose I should be grateful. At least we're not sleeping in the streets."

"And I'm grateful you're so nearby again. I meant to visit you sooner, but it's been madness at the station without Stefan around. Speaking of which, I'll need you back on duty from tomorrow onwards, Rio."

"Yes, Sir," he answered, the eagerness plain in his voice.

"Happy to be back?"

"I've been stuck in this church too long."

"Well then, I think you'd better go and turn in," He nodded towards the door, and Rio suddenly realized what was happening – he was not wanted for the rest of the conversation.

"Oh, um, alright."

"I'll see you tomorrow, Rio."

Rio disappeared, eyeing Hannah curiously on the way out, which she tried to ignore.

"That wasn't very nice." Hannah remarked once they were alone.

"There's something else I need to tell you," he said, sounding cheerless. "Something about Alyssa and Stefan."

"What? Is it bad?"

"For us, yes. I wasn't sure whether to say anything, but ... I think you deserve to know." He came over, sitting on the bed next to her. For a moment, she was thrown by the glint of his eyes in the light, from light brown to fiery gold. "In his letter, Stefan told me that Alyssa is still very unhappy about everything that's happened."

"Of course," she sympathized.

"And so is he. They don't want to have to go through the same thing ever again. Which is why ... they're considering moving away from Dalen."

Hannah blinked at this, taking a moment to understand. "What? But they just moved here."

"I know."

"And he's First Captain of the guard. Can he just leave like that?"

"Well, Stefan wouldn't be able to leave without the approval of the Commander. But I'm afraid he might do something rash."

"He doesn't seem like the type to be rash."

"Maybe, but this time, he has his wife to think of. And a man would do anything for his wife."

"Are you blaming her?"

"I'm not blaming anyone," he told her in a level voice. "I'm only telling you what I know."

"Well, you know Stefan best. What do you think will happen?"

"I think he will do whatever he can to leave."

She stared quietly for a moment, not wanting to believe it. "I thought they were happy here in Dalen."

"I'm sure they were. But too much has happened. It won't be the same anymore."

"Perhaps we can talk to them. Convince them to stay."

Immediately, he shook his head. "I'm not one to meddle in other people's lives. Nor do I think Stefan would listen to me."

"When will they reach Dalen?"

"They're not far now. They should be back by the end of the week. But please act as if you do not know. Stefan instructed me not to tell anyone."

"Oh," she went, surprised. "And yet ... ?"

"There was no way I could keep it from you. I'm just not the sort." He sighed faintly, raising his head as he gazed out her window. "I'm not like Stefan, you see. I can't keep secrets, I can't act or pretend."

"That might not be such a bad thing."

"I disagree. It's a useful skill, especially in the guard."

"I'm tired of lies and secrets," she said, thinking back over the past few months, and all that had happened.

"From who?"

"Almost everyone I know."

"But not me. Never me."

"No," she admitted. "You are the easiest person to read."

"Yet, you do not seem to trust me anymore today than the first day we met."

"That is because you are the sort of man that will never change."

"Indeed, I will not," he agreed, lightly resting his hand on her knee.

Hannah recoiled, getting up from the bed. "And never learn, apparently."

"Hannah," he said her name, nodding over the bed. "Sit back down."

"No."

"What are you afraid I'll do?"

She bristled, embarrassed at the question. "I refuse to be one of your throwaways, Captain."

"Do you really believe I am as bad as that?"

"By trusting your word, I would be ignoring that of many others."

"And that must make them right?"

"It would make me a bigger fool if I was wrong."

He stood up, adjusting his coat. "It's alright. I can wait. I can wait very long, if I must."

"Oh, don't worry, Captain," she assured, going over to open the door. "I'm sure a pretty young girl will come along soon enough, and then you'll forget all about me."

His face twitched at that. He came over, but instead of leaving, he slammed a hand on the door, forcing it shut.

Hannah backed away, looking at him in alarm. He matched her step, coming close, shadowing her. "What have I not done for you, Hannah?"

She bumped against the wall of that tiny room, finding herself staring up at him. His face was bright from the fire's glow, his features drawn in an angry frown. He lowered his gaze, his eyes slowly roving down her frame, her dress.

No, she begged inside her head. Go away. Please make him go away.

Macks leaned close to her cheek, standing still. In that moment, she was aware only of the sound of his breaths, and the warmth of his body right before hers.

Then, he cocked his head, seeming to change his mind. He turned around, saying nothing as he opened the door and left.

He's gone, Hannah realized. He had not touched her.

She swallowed, standing up straight. He hadn't even bothered to close the door, and she listened to the sound of his feet descending. Despite herself, she looked out into the hallway, just catching sight of his head before he disappeared.

She pressed the door shut, pulling in a breath. Perhaps she should talk to someone about this. Did she trust Macks too much, letting him near her just because he was Rio's Captain?

She dragged herself to bed, lying down and picturing the Captain riding through Dalen's moonlit streets. How long was she going to have to keep fighting him?