Chapter 29 A Gift Declared Chapter 29 A Gift Declared : 58 +20 Free Coins The remark hung in the doorway like a drawn blade . Though Xavier stood composed , Soren felt the edge of provocation slicing toward him . " Lord Soren's regret is no concern of mine , " Fiona responded from the threshold , her tone calm yet unwavering . " I care only for your feelings . " " Even if Lord Soren were present this very moment , the bow would still be yours , " she added after a breath . She had begun to weigh Xavier as a future husband . Naturally , her treatment of him had to stand apart . Besides , the declaration would keep Xavier from suspecting any hidden affection toward Soren . Xavier gazed at Soren . Seated within , Soren lifted his cup , sipping coffee with an expression carved from stone . " So this is merely because I taught you archery , Ms. Fiona ? " Xavier asked , eyebrows rising just enough to hint at mischief . He looked every inch the gentleman , yet the glimmer in his eyes said he already knew the answer and delighted in demanding it . Fiona recalled Princess Aurora's teasing words - Xavier appeared mild in daylight but turned ruthless beneath the sheets , wickedness hidden under placid water . Her ears burned , yet she kept the conversation proper . " Naturally , it is because you instructed me in mounted archery , " she said . Xavier's smile was small and crooked , the kind reserved for stories he did not believe . The more he wore that look , the hotter Fiona's cheeks grew ; she felt the mortifying flutter of a girl whose secret had been read aloud . Such tension between a lady and a gentleman could unravel the steadiest composure , Thankfully , Fiona was no naive maiden ; her wits remained her own . " You must have other business , Mr. Xavier . I shall take my leave , " she said . " Give me a while ," Xavier replied . " Please wait in the front courtyard , Ms. Fiona . I will join you 1/4 1442 Fri Oct 10 Chapter 29 A Gift Declared as soon as I conclude 220 +20 Free Cpics At his quiet plea . Fiona's lashes fluttered , and a shy warmth colored her cheeks . I'll wait for you , then , she whispered , the promise soft as spring rain . Still carrying that faint blush , she looped her arm through Lilith's and made for the front courtyard , skirts brushing dewy gravel in a measured hush of silk . Navier stepped back into the study where lamplight pooled over carved mahogany . Soren waited there , and the conversation slid seamlessly to Matthew , neither man so much as brushing against the barbed exchange that had just passed . " Mr. Saunders ' ill - gotten silver sits three feet beneath the main house in Lakebourne , Xavier reported , voice low and precise . " Yet the watch on his father's grave is uncommonly tight . I would wager more lies are buried there ." Soren looked at him and asked , " Why not dig up the evidence yourself ? " " Because , Lord Soren , you have given no such order , " Xavier answered evenly . Soren lifted one brow . " First , Mr. James ' impeachment scroll reached the palace only this morning . If we expose the treasure at once , tongues will claim you conspired with him . Second , Mr. Saunders is not your true quarry . We must let the fish believe the hook unbaited . " Xavier knew the assignment itself was a quiet test of his reach and discretion . Soren did not dispute the conclusion , yet he offered no further window into his plans . Such was the order of ranks . Subordinates had to speak every truth they found , while the powerful veiled their intent behind polite silence . Even so , to serve under a leader who recognized talent rather than pedigree felt like a rare stroke of luck . Soren brushed an imaginary wrinkle from his sleeve and rose to his feet . " You have an engagement waiting . We shall leave matters here for today . " Right then , Xavier uttered , " Ms. Fiona is giving Glowstrike to me . Does that not trouble you , Lord Soren ? " Soren's eyes drifted to the bow resting on the desk . It matched the weapon from his dream in every cruel angle and gleam , proof enough that the dream had found its way into daylight , yet he refused to let omens steer him . 2/4 14:42 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 29 A Gift Declared +20 Free Coins " Glowstrike belongs to Ms. Fiona , " Soren said lightly . " If she wishes to part with it , why should I take offense ? " " I hope you will always feel that way , " Xavier replied in an even tone . Being questioned a third time about his feelings for Fiona tugged at a strand of Soren's patience . His eyes cooled , lips flattening into what might have been a smile on a colder planet , and without another word , he turned on his heel and left . In the front courtyard , Fiona crouched beside Victoria , pressing young orchid shoots into fresh soil . Fiona's fingers broke clods , trimmed stems , and tucked roots with a practiced grace that drew more than one curious glance from Victoria . " At first , it was something to fill spare afternoons ," Fiona explained , smile bright beneath her straw hat . " But tending flowers soon felt like polishing the mind itself , so I kept at it . " Victoria laughed . " I thought only matrons like me found solace in soil . To discover a young lady sharing the notion is delightful , Ms. Fiona . " Technically , Fiona herself was already a married woman , though the paperwork remained a secret none there must hear . With a sweet smile , she responded , " Perhaps we simply share a kindred spirit , Mrs. Luthor . " The words were butter - soft , yet calculated . For Xavier's sake , Fiona was more than willing to weave closeness with Victoria . Victoria's smile deepened . " When these phalaenopsis finally bloom , come and take two pots home with you ? The instant Victoria's gentle words reached her cars , Fiona felt delight bloom inside her- bright , heady , impossible to disguise . It rose through her chest and settled on her lips in an irrepressible smile . " Xavier lost his mother when he was very young , Victoria said , her voice thick with quiet apology . " He may look reserved , but he is far from unfeeling . Should he overlook some courtesy , Ms. Fiona , I trust you will forgive him . " Victoria loved Xavier with all the devotion a stepmother could muster , yet even the warmest care could never fill the space a birth mother left behind . " Please don't worry , Mrs. Luthor , " Fiona replied , meeting the older woman's gaze with steady 3/4 14:42 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 29 A Gift Declared warmth . " I know , without a doubt , that Mr. Xavier is a good man . " 58 +20 Free Coins " I feared the bustle of Jexburgh might overwhelm him - nearly kept him in Hepham instead ," Victoria admitted , a soft , relieved laugh threading through her words . " Yet after meeting you , Ms. Fiona , I can finally breathe ; surely the rest of the city will prove just as g