3/3 14:37 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 14 Entwined Promises Chapter 14 Entwined Promises : A 59 ' +10 Free Coins " From this night on , my life belongs to you . Should danger shadow your path , I will spend every breath to drive it away , " Yolanda vowed , voice rough but unwavering . The words drew a quiet warmth into Fiona's chest . A new , stronger thread then bound them together , and the realization left her both humbled and quietly elated . " If anyone asks about tonight's dancer , send out a girl of similar build in my stead ," Fiona whispered . " Under these torches , no one saw clearly anyway ." Yolanda nodded at once . " Rest easy . They will never trace the performance back to you . " If only that were true . Someone has already recognized me . Fiona did not return to the banquet hall . Though the odds of exposure felt slim , worry gnawed her thoughts raw . If every guest discovered the secret , she wouldn't be able to shield the Niven family's honor . Yet there had been no other path . The Wagner family rose and fell with the Niven family . Had scandal branded Yolanda as a traitor to the empire , Yolanda would have faced death , and the Niven family would have shared the ruin . Zachary , Stanley , Vincent , and Ulrich would have watched their careers crumble for a sin she could have prevented . The calculations spun in her mind until dawn's gray smudge crept under the tent flap , and still sleep refused to claim her . Morning found her fevered and weak , the price of a night spent wrestling shadows . The traveling physician pressed two fingers to her wrist and frowned . She had , he declared , worried herself sick , and with her frail constitution , a simple chill had slipped in behind the anxiety . Yolanda had no interest in joining the outdoor amusements . She remained indoors , attending to Fiona with meticulous , almost sisterly devotion . When word reached them that the rest of the party had gone hunting - apparently a rousing affair - both women felt a pang of regret , but illness kept Fiona , and therefore Yolanda , confined indoors . " You guessed right , " Yolanda said with a small , conspiratorial smile . " Half the camp seems intent on ferreting out that mysterious dancer , yet I have sent every last busybody away . " Fiona lay back against the embroidered pillows , eyes dull , unable to summon her usual spark . " Oh , and just now I ran into Lord Soren ," Yolanda added , as though recalling a trifle . " He 1/3 14:38 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 14 Entwined Promises inquired after your condition . " : 59 +10 Free Coins At the mere mention of Soren's name , Fiona stiffened , nerves jangling like startled birds . " He only asked about my condition ? " she whispered . " He asked whether you were feeling any better . Nothing more ," Yolanda assured her , tone deliberately light . Fiona could not fathom what new game Soren was playing . For now , I can only watch and wait . Later that evening , Ulrich arrived to check on Fiona , Xavier trailing behind like a silent shadow . Ordinarily , propriety forbade Fiona from receiving an unrelated gentleman , yet with Ulrich present , the visit passed muster . " Ulrich , Mr. Xavier , " she greeted , forcing a pale smile . " Before we set out , Aunt Meryl charged me with keeping you safe . " Ulrich sighed , sinking onto the stool beside the bed . " Now you fall ill , and I will have no suitable explanation for her when we return . " " Give me two days , and I will be fine , " Fiona answered brightly . " I still intend to practice mounted archery , and I will have to trouble Mr. Xavier then ." She turned toward Xavier , hoping for a reassuring look . His expression , however , remained as cool and distant as moonlit marble - an unfamiliar chill that pricked her heart . " No trouble at all , " he said , meeting her gaze for a heartbeat before letting it slide away , voice as even as a flat lake . Fiona let the conversation die there , folding her hands beneath the quilt . In her previous life , she had endured years of such indifference from Soren ; the old scars left her unwilling to chase warmth that would never come . Two days later , feeling steadier , she ventured to the training paddock . From a distance , she spotted Xavier perched on a boulder , as though keeping lonely vigil . Because of his earlier detachment , she had never informed him of her plans , nor did she know whether he had waited there each day . " Mr. Xavier ," Fiona called as she approached . Xavier rose at once , brushing invisible specks from his dark sleeve . " Ms. Fiona , " he greeted , 2/3 14:38 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 14 Entwined Promises formal as ever . " Have you been coming every day ? " she asked , voice soft with tentative curiosity . He regarded her for a moment , then offered a small , almost imperceptible nod . 59 +10 Free Coins " I should have told you when I planned to come ," she said , guilt warming her cheeks . " I made you wait for nothing . Forgive me . " He merely shrugged away the apology and moved straight into instruction . His expertise was undeniable - one glance and he pinpointed every flaw in her seat - yet his tone remained cool , his words few , replies given only when she pressed . Fiona's annoyance bubbled up again , quick and sharp , before she could tame it . " Mr. Xavier , the way you are acting right now reminds me very much of someone . " Xavier turned , leather reins creaking against his glove. " And whom do I resemble ? " Fiona lowered her eyes , the answer balanced on her tongue , yet refused to fall . Soren . Not the man he is today , but the husband he was to me in my previous life . Fiona gave it some thought before saying , " Mr. Xavier , if I have failed in some way these last few days , please tell me outright . I have spoken with you before and know you are not usually this distant . When someone answers me with silence , it stings more than you might think . " Xavier paused , shadow crossing his brow . " Ms. Fiona , were you not among the dancers that day ? " At the reminder , Fiona's shoulders fell as though the earth had slipped out from under her pride . " The dancers were arranged by Ms. Wagner , so the fault likely lies with her . Even so , Ms. Fiona , you should not have taken such a risk , " Xavier added . " The thought of it still unnerves me . I will be more careful from now on . Please , Mr. Xavier , keep this matter private ." Xavier's brows knit . " I would never speak of your affairs to anyone , Ms. Fiona ." Fiona's riding soon steadied . After only two days , she reclaimed the rhythm she sought . Because Xavier was , by custom , an unrelated man , she spent most practice sessions alone .