As the sun rose a few hours later the two headed out on horses Fin had bought from Terron.  The next night as they sat around the fire and Rose was scratching Zoey's ears she looked up at Fin and asked, "Kael, why did you get so mad when I told you about what I couldn't forgive myself for?"
Fin stared into the fire, poking at the coals with a long stick. "I, well, I didn't like it. I hate the idea of a man doing that to a woman. I hate the fact that that scum has bent you to his will for so long. I don't know exactly why, but I just know that it isn't right. That you deserve so much better than that." Fin glanced up at Rose and then back at the fire.  "More than anything, though, I was mad that I couldn't stop it. That I wasn't there to protect you from it."
"It was years ago.  You didn't even know me then.  Besides it was my fault for getting into such a situation.  For not fighting back harder.  For accepting what I had become."
Kael's head jerked up and his eyes, staring into hers, were very intense. "I never want to hear you say that again. It is never a woman's fault for being weaker than a man. Wouldn't he have killed you if you had declined or tired to leave?"
Rose swallowed.  Kael could be very intimidating.  "Yes," she half whispered.
Kael nodded. "I'll make sure you don't have to resort to that in the future. You will have a choice now." his eyes softened, "And if you're the woman I think you are, you won't go back to that life."
"I don't ever want to go back to that life.  It was horrible."
"You won't have to. I promise you that much, Rose. You won't have to." Fin was staring into the fire again.
"Kael, why did you leave the thieves guild?  Especially when you had gone so high."
Finley's face clouded. "Shadow Dagger was very powerful, but he was never happy. As time passed he just despised himself more and more. You see the boy's feelings never meshed well with the actions of the guild. One day he decided that he had to stop doing things that made it hard for him to sleep at night." Fin began moving around the embers again, "So he got out. And Shadow Dagger was no more."
"I see." Rose continued scratching Zoey's ears as she thought.  "So what did you do after you left?"
"I met St. Nick and he kind of adopted me," Finley smiled, thinking of his mentor.
"Who's St. Nick?"
"Sorry, that's a personal nickname. Most people know him as Mead, or Captain Mead," Fin explained. "He became my mentor and taught me a new way of living--with principles.  His real name is Nicholas Morgan."
"I have heard of the name Captain Mead before.  That's where you get the pirating in.  Huh, a pirate with principles."
Finley chuckled, "I know it sounds absurd, but yes."
"Well a few weeks ago and I would have thought it absurd for anyone to come to my rescue, much less buy me from Black.  So I guess it fits."
"I'm sorry about that, but I figured it was the safest way to get you away from them," Fin took out a knife and started twirling it to have something to occupy his hands as he apologized. "If I had just killed them the thieves guild wouldn't have let me hear the end of it--but then again, I was careless and now they are after us anyway."
"Well I really didn't mind it.  I was extremely happy when you set me free but just getting away from Black was the best day of my life."
Fin looked up into Rose’s eyes, his own regretful. "I didn't mean those things I said about you that night."
"Which things?" her brow pulled together in puzzlement.
"Please don't make me repeat them," Kael murmured putting his head in his hands. "I feel bad enough that I ever said them in the first place."
Rose thought about it hard for a minute and then said, "Oh you mean about me being a wench and goods."
"And not being worth 20,000 gold when you're really worth far more, yes." Fin couldn't bring himself to look at her.
Rose shrugged.  "Truthfully I've been called that so many times I didn't really notice it."  Rose moved over to sit next to Fin.
Finley's hands formed fists. "That makes me mad as well." He turned toward the woman sitting next to him. "I lied to you a lot that night."
Rose put a hand over one of his fist's.  "It's okay Kael, I forgive you.  You did what you needed to do."
Fin's hand relaxed.  "One of those lies was so absurd I was surprised that you believed it," Kael commented. "Shocked, really."
"Oh, and which lie was that?" Rose asked intrigued.
"It was the first lie I told you." Fin suddenly felt, almost... shy.
Rose gently took Fin's hand, "And which lie was the first one?"  She did not want to let him out of admitting whatever he was dancing around.
His following words and action were very contradictory. Fin took Rose's hand in both of his and gently placed it back in her lap. "That you aren't my type."
Rose looked at him shocked.  She moved to kneel in front of him.  "If I am you're type... then why did you refuse me?"
"I never answered your question about my being a virgin." Finley smirked in spite of himself. "I don't think that sex outside of the bonds of marriage is right.  And I also knew that you're life was worth much more than a one-night stand. That wouldn't really have been sufficient payment. You are worth much more than just your body, Rose."
Rose reeled back on her heels.  She blinked at Finley.  Then she stood up and walked into the forest in complete shock.
Fin chased after her. "Rose? Rose, look, I'm sorry if I said something to offend you. Just don't run off, it really isn't safe out there.  I promise I won't say another word for the whole night, just come back to the fire where it's safe."
Rose stopped and turned back to Fin.  "You didn't say anything wrong.  You didn't offend me in the least bit and I don't want you to stop talking.  I just... I'm sorry.  I'm so sorry for trying to force myself on you."
Fin's head cocked to the side, reminding Rose of Zoey.
"That night I tried to force myself on you thinking I had to pay you back.  If I had known I would have never..."
Fin shook his head from side to side slowly. "You never could have forced me, Rose. Although, you were making it pretty hard for me to control myself," Fin smiled, remembering. "You don't have anything to apologize for. I understand why you did it now. Come on, it's cold over here, let's get you back by the fire."
Fin walked a few steps back toward camp and then stopped and looked back to see if Rose was coming.  Rose slowly followed him her face showing that she was thinking and still a bit in shock.  Fin didn't bother her. He just got out the bed rolls and set them out, one on either side of the fire.  Then he started to clean up the remains of their dinner.
"So," Rose said, "Being raped wasn't my fault...and I am your type?"
Fin looked up. "No, it wasn't." He looked back down, laughing a little. "And yes, you most definitely are."  He sighed.
Rose looked at Fin and gave him one of her sweet smiles.
"You, uh, should probably, um, sleep now," Finley fumbled. Whenever she smiled like that it just sent his mind to another world.
"Okay," Rose slipped into one of the bedrolls.  "Thank you Kael, for telling me the truth."  She smiled sweetly up at him
"Uh, yeah," he ran a hand threw his hair. "I'm goanna go get some more firewood. Sleep well." Blushing he turned and walked toward the trees.  Rose got comfortable.  Zoey came and snuggled next to her.  Rose smiled as she fell asleep with Fin's words running through her mind.
The next morning as Rose awoke she discovered that there was breakfast sitting next to her bedroll. Looking around for Fin, she found the man tending to the horses.  Rose picked up the plate of food and began eating.  Fin was being so good to her.
Fin seemed to be doing a very thorough job with the horses. The man had now brushed the chestnut mare a good one hundred strokes, with no end to the grooming in sight.  Rose chuckled at him.  Putting the plate down Rose got up and walked over to him.  "Good morning Kael," she said standing right next to him.
Kael jumped a good foot in the air and spun around. "Oh! You're awake... well, morning." Looking down, Fin realized he was playing with the brush and quickly set it on the ground. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and kicked at the dirt a bit. "Did you, um, sleep okay?" Fin picked up the tack and started readying the horses.
Rose smiled at Fin trying very hard not to laugh at him.  "I slept fine," she said.  
Fin bent down and shouldered a saddle, acting as if it were no more than a blanket. "Well that’s a relief," he mumbled thinking about how he had laid awake half the night. "We should be set to go in about half an hour. Would you mind cleaning up breakfast?"
"Not at all," Rose went back to the camp and started cleaning up breakfast.  "Kael, how long will it take to get to the port town."
Fin looked up at her, from where he was leaning over to pick up the second saddle. "Mmm? Oh, about two days," he called over, his chestnut hair falling into his eyes.
Rose thought of how handsome Fin looked as he worked and she blushed.  Quickly she turned her attention back to cleaning.  She was done at about the same time as Fin and so started packing up the bedrolls.
Fin looked over at her and with a very solemn expression on his face said, "Wanna race?" His voice sounded much like a child's. Eager and excited.
"I don't know if that would be fair since I have a head start," Rose said very seriously but then her mouth quirked into a smile.  "But if you think you can still beat me..."
Fin put both hands on the end of his blankets, feet positioned as though he was a runner at the starting line. "Ready! Set! Go!"
Quickly Rose finished rolling up her bed roll and raced to her horse strapping it down.  She turned back just in time to see Fin trip on a rock as he was racing to his horse.  Rose couldn't help it she burst out laughing.  
Finley stood up slowly, a mischievous look in his eyes. "Oh, you think that was funny, do you?" the man said in a challenging voice. He started stalking toward Rose. He stared at her, his eyes sparkling.
Rose tried to stifle her laughing but it was no use, she just kept laughing as Fin stalked toward her in a playful menace.
"Oh, I'll give you something to laugh about alright!" Finley's hands came up, arms spread wide to catch her if she ran. He was smiling now.
Rose turned and started to run but no where near to how fast she could actually run.  A smile played on her face.  Fin broke into a run as well, not going his optimum speed either. "Hey! Get back here you!" his voice held a slight bit of pout in it, like a little boy who just missed tagging his friend.  Rose continued running but slowed her pace so that Fin could catch up.
Fin stopped short, "Hey, no fair! You're letting me win. What think I can't catch you without help?" He folded his arms across his chest and scrutinized her, a little frown on his face.
Rose stopped and turned to Fin, "Oh you think you can catch me for real?" Roses eyes sparkled.  "Just you try." And then she was off at full speed and full silence through the forest.
"Okay, then," Fin's brow furrowed in thought. She had too much of a head start. And truth be told, she was faster than him. Then Finley had a marvelous idea. He turned and walked calmly back toward camp.
A few seconds later, Rose heard the sound of pounding hooves behind her.
Rose increased her speed to her optimum.  Fin was experienced in this sort of thing though. He brought the mare up alongside the girl. Keeping a firm grip on the saddle horn, he reached down with his left arm and scooped her up onto the horse and brought the mare around, heading back toward the camp.
He held Rose close to him as she struggled.  "You cheated," she said.
"Mmmhmm." Fin nodded, smirking down at her. "Pirate." he explained, tightening his grip around her waist.
"Ah yes I guess I should have expected it then."  Rose said letting his grip pull her tighter against him.
"Foolish female," Fin shock his head as though disappointed. The horse galloped back into the camp and Fin reigned her in.
"Uh, and what is that suppose to mean?" Rose asked tilting her head up to look at Fin.
"It means whatever you want it to mean, baby." Fin dismounted and reached up to help Rose down.
Rose let him help her down but once her feet were on the ground she kept her hands on his shoulders and looked into his stormy eyes.  "That was the most fun I've had since I was ten."
"Really? Well then, we need to get you a front row seat at a bar fight sometime. You'd be ecstatic," Finley laughed. He jerked his head toward the fire. "Come on, we've gotta finish packing before we run off this time." He turned around to pick up the bedroll he had dropped earlier.
Rose smiled.  Then she sighed.  She had wanted him to kiss her so much.  But she pushed that thought out her mind and fixed it on the fun that they had just had instead.  Rose helped get everything packed up and in a couple more minutes they were ready to go.
Fin helped her up onto the black stallion and then mounted the chestnut mare. "Alright. Here we go... forward!" He kicked his horse into movement and threw his arm out pointing ahead.
Rose had no choice but to laugh at him again as she kicked her horse forward.
Fin looked over at her, "What?"
"You are just..." Rose laughed again.  "Yeah let's leave it at that."
"Just what?"
Rose expression actually became rather sober as she said, "You are amazing Kael Finley."
"Oh, well, if that's all you meant..."he faced forward again and shrugged.  "Yeah, I know that already." Fin said arrogantly. The man looked up at the sky, nonchalantly.  Rose rolled her eyes at him.  He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "So... what's your favorite color?" he asked as though the world depended on her answer.
"My favorite color...hmmm I guess it would have to be red."
Fin nodded. "What about food?"
"Ummmm, apples."
Fin looked at her sharply, "Green... or red?" his tone was unnecessarily suspicious.
Rose looked at him wondering what had gotten in to him.  "Green, the sweet kind not the sour."
Fin's eyes narrowed, but he nodded as though that was a satisfactory answer. He rubbed the scruff on his chin for a moment, thinking. "So, do you have any plans for the future, now that you're free?" The man's serious question caught Rose off guard and when she looked at him, he was looking back with real interest.
"I guess I haven't thought about it too hard yet.  I never thought that I would ever be free."  Then Rose blushed and looked down at her hands, "There is one thing that I would like."  Fin waited for her to speak again.  "I know that I would like to stay with you."
Finley frowned and looked away. She would soon change her mind once she met other men. Better men.  Rose looked at Fin.  She knew that he would react this way.  He had already made it clear that he didn't think much of himself.  But how could she not have voiced her thoughts.  There were other men out there surely, but she already knew Fin would be better to her than she deserved.  And there was something about him.  Ever since she had been in his presence she felt so comfortable, so at ease.  She felt that anything could be faced as long as she was with him.  She sighed and looked back to the road.
There was an uneasy silence for a while but then Fin struck up a conversation with Rose again.  The rest of the day passed in relative ease and with Finley entertaining her Rose was surprised at how quickly time passed.  That evening they camped and Rose was again amazed at how good Fin was to her as he helped with dinner and got her bed ready for her.  She fell asleep quickly.  But that night memories invaded her dreams and in the dead of night she sat up screaming.
Fin was at her side in seconds. "Rose? Rose it's alright. It was just a dream. Its okay." he was speaking fast. Afraid of scaring her more, he hesitated to touch her, holding back. "It was just a dream, you're alright."
Rose stopped screaming but started into dry heaving sobs.
"Oh no," Fin said softly. "Rose? Rose, please don't cry. It's okay, you're safe. Please don't cry." He pleaded with her shamelessly for he hated to see her crying.
Very slowly he reached out his hand. "Rose, I'm just going to put my hand on your shoulder. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise," he spoke just like he would to a frightened horse, gently and confidently.
He wanted to hold her, but he didn't dare go that far.  Rose's body was shaking under his hand.  She was trembling violently.  Kael's will broke and he wrapped her in his arms. Then he placed her in his lap and started rocking her back and forth, his own face wet now. "Shhh-shhh, you're safe here. I'll protect you, Rose. Oh just don't cry, sweetheart. Don't cry." His voice was heavy with emotion.
Slowly Roses’ sobs quieted and her shaking slowed.  Kael kept hold of Rose long after the shaking had stopped. Finally he pulled back just enough to look into her face. "Are you alright?"
Rose nodded slightly, "I think so."
Fin let out a long sigh and nodded. Then he rested his chin on top of her head.  "You had me really worried there."
"I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?" his voice was controlled, but hard.
"For worrying you."
"I'd rather if you didn't apologize, alright? You make it sound like you are bothering me or something." Finley's hand rubbed her arm. Feeling that she was cold, he pulled a blanket to them and wrapped it around her.
Rose snuggled in close to Fin as he wrapped her up.  Fin pulled back a little, trying to keep some slight measure of distance between their bodies. He was pretty sure that she had no idea of how forward she could be at times. "Do you need to talk about it?" He wasn't repulsed or anything, but the closeness was making it difficult to think clearly.  He didn't withdraw his arms, however.
"I just...I dreamnt about..." and in that moment Rose spilled all of the details about her rape that still plagued her mind.  Fin had tears streaming down his face as she finished. He pulled her close and held her as tight as he dared, not wanting to hurt her, but desperately needing to protect her. "I-I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, I wasn't there to stop them, Rose. I'm so very sorry." Kael sobbed as her stroked her hair.  "But never again. No one will ever hurt you like that again. I swear on my life, never again!"
Rose was stunned by his tears.  He was crying for her.  Tears were streaming down her own face.  She gently reached up with one hand to touch his wet check.
Fin placed his own hand over hers and pressed it against his cheek. "I will always protect you, I promise."
Rose gave a sigh of relief.  If he would protect her then she truly could face her past and her present, and even her uncertain future.  "Thank you," she whispered to him.
Finley very slowly put her hand back in her lap and picked up her other one. Gently he slipped the silver band set with a milky pearl off of her ring finger.  Rose let her head sag a little.  She knew that he would have to take it back eventually.  She didn't want him to but she understood.  He would be here to protect her to be her friend but it seemed as though that was as far as he was willing to go.
Finley cupped his hand under Rose's chin and brought her head back up. He smiled kindly, lovingly at her. "Rose, I would give myself to you: body, mind, and soul. You already have my heart." He held up the ring. "If you say yes, this engagement can only be broken by you; I will never back out. But you can call it off at any time. If you find someone better, which I'm sure you will, then go to him.  This is completely your decision. If you decide that you can settle for someone like me then I'll do all I can to become a man worthy of the lady that you are."
Fin stood, helping Rose to stand with him. Then he got down on both knees. "Rose, would you be my wife?"  His eyes were scared, but he pushed past the fear and the love for this woman shone plainly on his face.
Rose had to cover her mouth with one hand as she started crying again.  She couldn't believe it.  He was serious.  There was nothing she wanted more.  "Yes," she chocked out.  "Oh, yes."
Finley sank to the ground, now on his hands and knees he mumbled something unintelligible.
Rose sank to her knees, "Fin?"
"Could you repeat that, please? I'm certain that I didn't hear you correctly," he mumbled again, but this time Rose was close enough that she could make out the words.
"I said yes to you Kael.  In fact there is nothing that would make me happier."
"That's what I thought you'd said," Fin rolled to the side and sat there, stunned. "I'll just need one second, here."
He stood up and started pacing. "So I just asked you to marry me?"
Rose sat with her hands in her lap watching Fin pace, "Yes Kael, you did."
He nodded, "Okay. Yeah, I guess I did." Finley kept nodding, like he could accept that part. Suddenly his head jerked up again. "And you said yes? And that it would make you happy?" He seemed absolutely puzzled by that.
"Yes, Kael it would make me happy."
"Huh." The man stood there, in disbelief, with one hand in his hair and the other on his hip. "Are you sure about this?"
Rose stood and looked Fin straight in the eyes, her own showing her seriousness.  "Yes, Kael Finley, I'm certain.  Look at everything you've done for me.  And it's not just that.  I feel safe with you.  I feel comfortable, I feel like I could face anything with you.  I can cry when you're with me, until I meet you I only cried once after I was thirteen.  You let me be me."
Fin's face suddenly broke into the biggest smile Rose had ever seen "You said yes."  Rose nodded.  "You said yes!" Fin looked up at the stars and yelled as loud as he could, "SHE SAID YES!"
Rose just had to smile at Fin.  Then he ran back to Rose and knelt in front of her again. He held out the ring, "Your hand, my dear?"  Rose still smiling ear to ear gave her hand to Finley.  Fin put the ring on her finger and then stood up and hugged her. "I love you," Kael whispered in her ear.
Rose wrapped her arms around Fin returning the hug, "I love you as well," she whispered back.  Fin couldn't stop smiling; he was so full of joy. He scooped Rose up in his arms and spun her around and around. "She said yes!" he exclaimed to the night.
Rose laughed as he spun her.  Laughed with a joy she had never felt before.
Finley stopped after a few moments. He was getting dizzy and didn't want to lose his balance and drop his fiancée. His for-real fiancée. Fin set Rose on her own feet and smiled down at her.
Rose smiled back up at him.  She also couldn't get past the idea that this time the engagement was for real.  It was wonderful.  Fin had an idea come to his mind. He didn't want to act on it without permission though. "May I, Rose?"  Rose nodded.  Whatever he wanted he could have.
Gently Fin raised a hand, his eyes locked with hers. He brushed the hair out of her face and then placed his hand against the side of her neck. Holding his breath he leaned in and closed his eyes.
Rose leaned into the kiss closing her eyes.  The kiss made her heart pound and sent a jolt through her body.  It was the most wonderful thing she had ever felt.
Finley kissed Rose with all the tenderness imaginable. However, he didn't let his lips linger. Pulling back he let out a not-quite-content sigh.
"I think it's time you get back to bed, my darling," he said softly, caressing her cheek with his index finger.
Rose gave a contented sigh.  "Yes I suppose I should."  She smiled tenderly up at Fin.  
Fin tucked her in and then walked a good distance away to his own bedroll.  "Goodnight, my angel," he whispered into the darkness. "Sleep well."
"Goodnight dear." Rose whispered back and then she was asleep with blissful dreams.
It wasn’t until the next day that Rose completely comprehended how she would be transferring all of her loyalties from Black to Fin.  This thought scared her a little.  True Black wasn’t the best and had his faults but he had been good to her.  Rose thought back on everything as she and Fin rode.
Black had been intensely loyal to Rose from the first day she had become his mistress.  It was the one quality in a person and the guild that Black emphasized the most – loyalty.  And he was loyal.  Not once had he ever slept or flirted with any other women than Rose.  She was his, every night and he loved her so much that she was by his side as often as possible.  In this way Rose had been privy to many of the meetings of the highest guild hierarchy that normally a mistress would never be in on.
Rose knew that Black did have a horrible temper but it was not quick in coming.  And so it wasn’t too often that she had to endure his wrath.  And when he wasn’t angry he was one of the kindest, gentlest men Rose had ever known.  And he kept her completely protected from all other men.  Fin during the day noticed Rose’s distracted attitude.  
Fin looked at the woman riding beside him with concern. Last night she had seemed... happy? Yes, he thought she had been. But her reaction had been so calm, almost obliging. Kael looked down, thinking hard about the matter. He hoped she wasn't doing this for any other reason than wanting and loving him, but last night he had made a critical decision.
Kael had decided that it didn't matter. He could go without real love if it meant protecting Rose. If there was another option he could take it. But he wasn't her family, and without a tie like marriage he didn't have the right to be her protector. Fin looked back at his fiancée.
"This is only to protect you from him. As soon as I know you're safe, I'll leave again and you can call it off if you want to. I won't hold you. I promised to be yours, that doesn't mean you have to promise to be mine, Rose." Finley looked straight ahead, his heart beating rapidly, his guts twisting into a knot. His face was controlled however. He wouldn't let her see how hard this was for him; he would only let her see that he cared.
Rose's heart jumped into her throat.  He thought that she didn't want to be his.  Was that what her face had been showing?  As wonderful as Black had been, even with his bad qualities, Fin had made her realize that she didn't want to go back to that life.  No Kael had given her something Black hadn't.  Rose couldn't pin exactly what it was but she knew she didn't want to go without it.  And she knew that she didn't want to go a day without Kael.  Rose rode her horse up to Kael's.  She gave him a warm smile as she took his free hand and said, "I meant it when I said yes last night.  I want to marry you."
Fin's heart soared for a moment until his mind brought it back down. "Then why do you seem so unhappy today? What's wrong, Love?"  Fin didn't even realize what he had just called Rose: 'love.' It was just his way, using pet names was second nature. Even though it was unconsciously done, it was always sincere when directed at his friends. Especially when it was directed at this woman.
Rose sighed and looked back to the road.  "Just memories," she said.  "What kind of m--" Finley started to ask and then thought better of it. The memories had to be vastly painful; Rose didn't need to relive them just so his curiosity would be satisfied.  Fin looked back to the road as well, his jaw clenched to keep the worry from spilling out of his mouth.
"Rose, if you ever, uh," the man who was usually so eloquent fumbled hopelessly with his words. "If you ever want to talk, about memories, or people, or anything really I'll listen. And I'll try to help, if I can."
Rose gave Kael a sweet smile, "Thank you." The rest of the day they rode in a comfortable silence just enjoying each others company.  And that evening they arrived at the port town of Laile.  
As they rode into town Rose was taken back by the beauty of it.  The capitol was certainly pretty but this port town had a certain freedom to it that made Rose's heart swell.  Fin led them straight to the docks.  He asked around and found out that Mead's ship wouldn't be in until morning.
Turning back he found Rose staring open mouthed at the ocean.  "Rose, is something wrong?" Fin cocked his head, the water was normal. It wasn't as though a hurricane were coming or anything, and there were no grand ships sailing into port.
"Oh Fin it's... the ocean it's magnificent.  I've never seen anything so beautiful," Rose stuttered.
"Yeah," Finley sighed. "It still gets to me as well from time to time. You've never seen the ocean before, have you?" Finally the dots connected.
"Until now I've never been outside the capitol before.  Black promised to take me but we never got around to it."
Suddenly the peaceful feeling the water always gave Fin shattered. "Well, we should get to the inn soon." His voice was only slightly off.  Rose nodded and reluctantly turned away from the water to follow Fin.
"Did I say something wrong?" she asked.
"Why do you say that?" Fin gave Rose one of his devil-may-care smiles, trying to brush off the moment, maybe distract her even.
Rose blushed, "Well I guess cause you're voice sounded slightly off.  Like something might be wrong."
Fin shrugged good-naturedly. "Well, you see, Zoey gets horribly upset when I rent out a room at an inn. No animals and all that. But it just can't be helped, now.
"But don't worry too much. A good slice of meat the next morning and she forgets the whole thing."  Zoey barked as if to confirm what Fin was saying.
Rose didn't feel as though Fin was really telling the truth but she let it go.  Finley and Rose had reached the stables now. Fin paid the caretaker and stabled the horses.  Then he took Rose's hand and walked with her to a respectable inn.  He walked inside and found the innkeeper sitting at a desk in the corner, balancing his ledger.
Fin cleared his throat and the man looked up.  The innkeeper looked up from his books.  "Ah Master Finley, what can I do for you this fine evening," he said standing up.
"Two of your best rooms please, Mr. Parner." Fin requested.
"Two rooms for you and the young lady then." Mr. Parner said going over to the bar from behind which he pulled two keys.  Then he eyed Fin and Rose and said in a half whisper to Fin, "You sure you'll be wanting two rooms?"
"Yes, Mr. Parner. I'm sure," Fin's voice told the man not to ask any questions.
"Very well Master Finley, no disrespect intended.  It will be 20 gold for the night."
Fin paid the man and led Rose up to her room. He unlocked the door and inspected the room quickly then he turned and held the door open for Rose.
Rose entered and set her pack on the bed.  She noticed that the pillow was a feather stuffed pillow.  No wonder the rooms had been more expensive.
Fin gave her a relaxed salute and went on his way to his own room. Flinging himself onto the bed he let out a big sigh. 'There goes my reputation.'  Half an hour later Fin collected Rose for dinner.  As they sat down at the table a serving girl, who was wearing a shirt that showed as much of her ample bust as possible, came over saying, "Well hello Master Finley." She set two cups on the table leaning over as much as she could.  "What can I get for you tonight," the serving girl smiled at Fin.
"Oh, just dinner for the lady, Bonnie," Fin smiled back politely. "make sure it is Fauna's best, okay?" He slipped the girl a couple silver as incentive.
"Of course Master Finley," Bonnie winked at Finn before walking off.  Fin didn't notice however, for his eyes were only for Rose now.
"Aren't you going to eat?" Rose questioned.  She sifted in her seat slightly disconcerted by Bonnies’ behavior towards her fiancée.
Fin folded his arms on the table then rested his chin on them. Looking up at Rose he said, "I'm gonna head over to the local tavern for a bit. It's important to keep up on information and gossip when you're in my line of work." He smiled at her and it was distinctly different from the polite smile he had given Bonnie.  "You'll be alright for a couple hours, won't you?"
"Yes of course."
Fin smiled bigger. "I thought so. You're very independent. I think that's a very praiseworthy quality." He straightened in the chair. "I would prefer if you stay in the common area though. Bonnie and the other girls are actually really nice girls once you get to know them, even if they do come off a bit forward, so you shouldn't be bored."
At that moment Bonnie came back with a tray of food.  Fin stood up from the table.  Bonnie sat the plate down.  "Leaving already Master Finley?" Bonnie asked.
"Just heading over to the tavern. Hey, Bonnie, Do me a favor while I'm gone would you?" Fin asked.
"Anything for you Master Finley."
Fin laughed. "Could you and Missie and the other girls keep my fiancée here company while I'm gone? Oh yeah!" Fin rolled his eyes. "I completely forgot to introduce you two. Rose, this is Bonnie, most obliging lass on the west coast. Bonnie, this is Rose, my fiancée."
Bonnie turned her attention to the lady who had been sitting next to Fin, "A pleasure," she said but her face and voice said otherwise.  Turning back to Fin she said with a big smile, "Of course we will keep her company."
"Now, Bonnie," Fin frowned at the girl. "I know your manners are better than that. Rose is important to me and I would be very grateful if you would be kind to her. And I'm sure your father would hate to hear about what actually happened last spring."
Bonnie smiled at Fin and then turned to Rose, "Don't you worry about it dear" she said smiling, "We'll take care of you."
"That's the hospitable lass I know!" Fin praised the girl. "Now don't tell her anything too revealing about me. It cost me a lot to get the chance to ask her to marry me and I don't want her backing out of it just yet." Fin winked at Rose. "I'll see you in a couple hours, sweet one."  With that the man strode out of the inn.
As he left Rose's mind couldn't help but think that Black wouldn't have left her behind.  Once he was gone Bonnies’ smile vanished and she left without another word to Rose.  Some of the servers were actually quite nice and some of them like Bonnie were down right rude when they learned she was Fin's fiancée.  But they were all terribly busy.
After about an hour of waiting Rose started to become distressed at Fin's comment of being independent when really she wasn't.  But then again, she could be.  Using her stealth Rose slipped upstairs and got changed into her pants and shirt along with a cloak.  Then she slipped out the window into town.  It only took her half an hour to find the tavern that Fin was at and slip into a corner unnoticed.  
Fin sat at a table in the back, one full mug and a few empty ones in front of him. He was speaking with another man.  Rose slipped to a table close enough that she was able to observe Fin and hear what was being said.  The talk was just what Fin had said it would be, information about the black market, dealings of the local guilds, rumors and gossip.
After about ten minutes however, the man stood up and left, leaving Fin sitting alone with another fresh mug in front of him.  Rose wanted to be with Fin but she stayed where she was watching Fin.  Nothing of significance happened the rest of the time that Fin was at the Tavern.  When he finally left Rose got up and followed at a safe distance.
When Fin walked back into the inn the first thing he did was to find Sarah. Sarah was a reliable, but very shy girl who worked in the kitchens with Bonnie.  "Evening, Sarah." The girl nodded at Fin. "How did Bonnie treat the girl I came here with?"
"She ignored her," Sarah had always been blunt. Finley never minded though, it saved time.
The man's brow furrowed. "Is Rose still in the dinning hall?"
"No, she left a good hour ago. Sunk out really," Sarah shrugged. "Sorry but I was too busy to keep her company. I don't know if she's come back yet."
Fin nodded, "I understand. Thank you, Sarah. Oh, and I think you'll be getting the position of head server soon. I don't think Mr. Parner is going to be very happy with Bonnie after I speak with him tonight." Fin slipped out of the kitchens and found the innkeeper. He explained some rather shocking events to the man about the actions of his eldest daughter.
Fin walked up the stairs, passing Bonnie on the way he winked at her. Then the inn was filled with Mr. Parner's roar. "BONNIE!!!"
Rose was just coming out of her room dressed back in her dress.  "Where were you?" Fin was frowning.
"I was safe," Rose evaded the question.
"Rose you shouldn't have left. Black might still have people tailing us. Do you realize how much danger you just put yourself in?" Fin placed his hands on her shoulders, looking into her green eyes. "I thought I could trust you."
Rose looked away from him, "I'm not used to being left on my own.  I just wanted to know what you were doing.  I'm really not that independent.  Maybe you aren't marrying the person you think you are.  By the way what do those girls have against me?"
"I'm sorry for leaving you but sometimes tavern brawls start up and I didn't want you there if one got out of hand. You were much safer here. And I think I am marring a resourceful, strong willed, sweet, beautiful, captivating woman who needs protection right now." Fin wanted her to know that he didn't see her as perfect, but as perfect enough.
"And about the girls, Bonnie can be a spiteful little thing. I was giving her one last shot to see if she had changed any. She's very cruel to the other girls and I needed a reason to tell her father about some events so she would lose her position over them. I didn't think it would be right to do so without giving her one last chance to change."
"I really thought that with that threat she would act better. I'm very sorry about that. I should have taken you into the kitchen so you could talk with Sarah, that was my mistake and I apologize for it but you still shouldn't have left alone. Do you really want me babysitting you every minute? I thought you'd want some alone time, or at least some other people time."
Rose looked back at Finley and sighed.  "I guess you're right.  But I'm not very use to alone time.  Frankly I was almost always by Black's side.  And I really should trust you, you haven't given me a reason not too."  Rose’s brow pulled together as she thought for a minute.  "Actually you've given me every reason to trust you.  I'm sorry."
Finley hugged Rose and sighed. "It's alright. I just get really worried whenever you're out of my sight as it is, so I need to know that you will be where I left you when I come back. You're far too precious for me to risk losing or hurting you. And, again, I'm very sorry for how the girls acted.  Do you want to go for a walk down by the beach?"
Rose chuckled against his chest, "I think I handle a fight better than being alone.  Yes I would like to take a walk down by the beach."
Fin took Rose down to the beach where they had a nice long walk.  Rose absolutely enjoyed seeing the ocean and they had a nice long talk as well.  Rose felt much better afterwards.  When they got back to the inn Fin gave Rose a quick kiss before they both went off to bed.  
"My boy, wake up," an all too familiar voice invaded Fin's dreams.  Fin frowned in his sleep, hoping the nightmare would go no farther.
"Kael, wake up," the voice said again.  Fin sat up, realizing he was awake. 'Why won't his voice get out of my head?! It's been five years, can't memories just die?' Fin sat with his head in his hands.
"My boy, listen to me," the voice said very close to Fin.  Finley's head jerked up. This wasn't in his head, this was no lingering dream.  Sitting on a chair next to his bed was a man with dark black hair and dark eyes.  
"My boy, you need to get out of here," the man said.
Dameon. Fin reached for his daggers, but they weren't there.  "No my boy I already took those away.  I need you to listen to me."
Fin glared at the man. "Please stop calling me that, Dameon. I don't belong to you anymore. Why are you here? I've been gone a long time and I have no interest in coming back, not like you'd ever take me back, but still. And you obviously didn't come to kill me otherwise I'd be dead, right?" Fin sat very still, fighting the fear.
"You'll always be my boy Kael but if you really don't want me calling you that then I won't.  Of course I wouldn't kill you.  I came here to warn you."
"It's been five years. I'm sure you thought I was dead. So why search me out now?" Kael had changed a lot. He never would have dared to talk back to Dameon before.  "Never mind. I don't care. Just give me back my knives and leave. Please."
"After you left me I just couldn't stay in Ridlick with all those memories.  So I came here.  And then two days ago we were all informed to keep an eye out for you and the Black Lady.  And you will hear me out first Kael."
"The hell I will," Fin got out of bed and headed toward the door.
"The Black Lady is dangerous Kael.  I never thought that you would be involved with a murderous.  And Black will never let you get away with taking his most precious gem."
"Well I am, and Black can come if he likes. That way it will be more convenient for me to kill him." Finley opened the door. "Sleep well, Dameon. I hope to never see you again."
Dameon got up and slammed the door shut before Fin could leave.  Finley turned and walked to the window.
Dameon grabbed Fin, "She's a murderous boy.  We all know the story of how she killed five thieves while they were drunk, not even able to defend themselves.  And there's more than just that."
"I'm a murderer too, as you well know. Now please, take you hands off of me." the last sentence was a whisper.
"You may have killed boy but you are no assassin like she is," Dameon didn't take his hand off.  "I'm worried about you my boy."  Kael didn't respond, he just looked at the man in front of him, the Shadow of his past come again to darken his life.
"My boy, every time someone dies in the guild she's always connected.  She's Black's little assassin as well as his mistress.  It's amazing that he let her go with you.  We all know how he hardly ever let's her out of his sight.  Think about it, why would he let her go when she means so much to him.  When he relies on her so much.
"Don't be stupid Kael.  You're smarter than this."
"She's already had plenty of chances to kill me. If that was her mission she would be back in his arms now. She doesn't want to go back. That girl has been through hell several times over and I'm not going to have Black take her there again." Finley shrugged off Dameon's hand and walked to the door again.
"If it was just to kill you yes you'd already be dead.  But what if it's something else.  Think boy, think.  You're letting your emotions get in the way again Kael.  If you thought about it logically you would know this doesn't make sense."
Finley looked straight into the man's eyes. "I'm done playing your games, Dameon. Go find someone else to throw around. I refuse to be your ball any longer." Fin opened the door again and stepped into the hall.
"You'll see my boy, trust me you'll see," Dameon said after Finley.
Fin turned back and walked inside the room. Picking up his pack he said, "My knives." Not asking for them, but demanding them.
Dameon set them on the bed saying, "You'll be needing them against her.  Be careful."
"You don't even know her. And if she tried to kill me, I would slit my own throat before laying a hand on her." Fin picked up his knives and left the room. He walked down the hall and sat by the stairs, watching to see if Dameon would come out. It would be more the man's style to leave by the window and Kael just hoped the man would leave soon.
Kael was rewarded by the sound of the window from his bedroom opening and then a minute later closing.  He walked back to his room, then paused in front of Rose's door. He eased the door open to make sure she was sleeping peacefully and was safe.
She wasn't sleeping she was sitting in a chair looking out the window.  Fin knocked softly.  Rose turned slowly to look at him.  "Rose? Why aren't you sleeping?" Fin asked.
Rose responded "I couldn't sleep.  I just kept thinking about ..."
"About what?" Fin took a step into the room.
"Maybe you shouldn't be marrying me."
"Are you saying you are calling it off?" Fin's stomach dropped, his throat felt very dry.
"I'm saying that maybe it would be best for you if you no longer had anything to do with me."
"Look, I won't force you to marry me, but I also won't leave you to be taken back by that bastard." Fin sounded angry now.  "I stopped caring about myself a long time ago.  Protecting you is all that matters now."
Suddenly Rose stood from her chair, her entire attitude changed.  Her eyes were hard and glassy her chin slightly raised, she strode with perfect confidence to Fin placed a hand on his check and then before he could blink a knife was being held to his throat.  "I'm an assassin Fin, a cold blooded killer.  Could you really live being married to that?" she said.
"The real question is, could I live not being married to that?" Fin held perfectly still except for one hand that came up to caress Rose's cheek.
A slight confusion crossed Rose's face, "What does that mean?"
Fin answered by kissing her full on the mouth. He didn't hold back. He gave this kiss all he had and all he had ever learned.  Rose instantly dropped the knife.  Her arms came up around Fin's neck as she took in the kiss and responded back.  Rose's heart pounded, her stomach did a flip and she knew she had never felt anything like this before.  At that moment Finley pulled away, roughly breaking apart their lips.
Rose had to take in a big gulp of air.  Her hands were shaking but she didn't want to let go of Fin.  She just stood there so close to him, breathing hard.
"Sorry, darling, but nothing more can happen until we are married." Fin flicked her ponytail. His voice was hushed.
A shiver ran through Rose's body and she leaned her head against Fin's chest.  "So you don't even care that I'm a murderer," she asked.
"Do you care that I'm one?" Fin asked, resting his chin on top of her head.
"Well I don't know that you've ever assassinated anyone.  Have you?"
"I have." Fin's voice was heavy with regret.
"I guess I'm curious about it but no I guess it doesn't matter."
"I'll answer any question you ask. Any question at all." Fin promised.
After a minute of silence Fin realized that Rose was crying silently.
"Oh no," Fin pulled back and holding her arms he looked into her face. "Rose? What happened to you tonight? He wasn't here was he?  Are you alright?"
"I never let myself think about it too hard.  But I don't know if I can stand being such a cold blooded killer.  No he wasn't here tonight.  But I did dream about him."
"Oh, sweetheart," Fin sat on the bed cross legged and pulled Rose onto his lap. He embraced her. "I have a place. Once we are married I'll take you there. He will never be able to find you and you will never have to worry again. Until then, I won't leave your side, not ever, okay?" Fin made the new promise without hesitation. He would just have to control himself and surely he could do that.
Rose leaned her head against Fin's shoulder.  Yesterday she had been nervous about changing over her loyalties.  But now she realized it was only her fear of change that had made her nervous.  Black was never like this with her.  And then she realized how much she did love Fin.  And how much she wanted to be everything for him.  Struggling she brought her tears under some order of control.  She wanted to think about something other than her own doubts now.  "Tell me about it?  Who you assassinated?" she asked.  "I'm sorry I guess maybe I'm more curious than is good for me." Rose said when she realized what question she had asked.
"His name was Robert. He was a member of the thieves guild, fairly high up, but not a prominent figure."
"Was he the only one?"
"No, just the first."
Rose nodded and closed her eyes.  Remembering her first a tear trickled from the corner of her eye.  Fin brushed it away with his finger. "That is your past, Rose. Your future can be whatever you want it to be. St. Nick taught me that."
"I want to meet him.  How did you meet him dear?"
"You'll meet him soon," Fin smiled at the girl in his arms. Then his expression sobered. "He stopped me from doing something very desperate."
Rose perked up a little, "Something desperate?" she felt herself wanting to know everything about this man she would marry but also at the same time she did not want to be intrusive or to bring up his harrowing past.  "Sorry, if that is something you don't want to talk about you don't have to.  I don't want to pry."
"You can't pry into what is already yours. I promised I would answer any questions, and I will," Fin took a deep breath. "I was going to kill myself, actually I was in the process of doing so.'
Rose gasped and sat up straighter.  "Kill yourself.  How in the world were you going to do that?"
Fin let her go and lifted his undershirt up. There was a line, a scar, right over the skin that covered his heart. "Mead pulled the knife out of my hands before I could finish the job."
Rose let one of her hands run gently over the scar.  And then without thought she leaned down and placed a gentle kiss over the scar.  "Then I guess I have much to thank Mead for."
Fin shuddered as her lips touched his skin. He pulled his under shirt back down and stood up. He pulled a chair over to the bed and sat on it instead. "No offense, but you can be far too tempting. I'm just gonna sit over here until I get control of myself again.  Did you have any other questions?"
Rose blushed as she sat on the bed.  "I'm sorry I've never had to hold myself back."  Rose thought for a moment and then asked. "How old were you?"
"It's alright." Fin smiled. "When I first killed, or when I tried to kill myself?"
"I guess both.  But I'm more interested about when you tried to kill yourself."
"Seventeen, Sixteen when I killed Robert."
Rose nodded.  "I was fifteen when I killed the men who had raped me.  I did so right after Black made me his mistress."  Fin kept any comments he may have had to himself. He sat there staring at the floorboards.
"Why did you try to kill yourself?"
"I-I," Fin stopped, unable to speak. He sat there for a moment, fighting the feelings. "I was disgusted with myself, my master had disowned me and I was out of options. I didn't think I had a future and if I did I knew it would be dark. I couldn't deal with that. I knew I was worthless, he had told me so, and being worthless to the king of a guild was worse than death in my mind. I had very few options. I chose death. Until Mead gave me a new option.'
Rose considered this for long moments.  She looked down at the floorboards too.  Then she stood and gave Fin a soft kiss on his check before kneeling down in front of him.  "Thank you for being here for me.  If I had tried to leave on my own like you did I don't think I would have survived. "
Fin looked into her eyes and she saw a very different boy of seventeen. "I was dead. Dameon knew I would kill myself," the boy told her, very calm and accepting of the fact as though he was speaking of how to properly make bread.  Rose gently reached up and stroked his check.  
Kael's face was hard. "For all I can do and all I have done, he may have spoken the truth. Perhaps I do still belong to him." Kael took out a dagger and turned it over and over in his hands, contemplating something.
"And perhaps in my heart I still belong to Black.  It was fear of transferring my loyalties from him to you that made me so nervous yesterday."
Somehow that brought Finley back. Rose saw Kael leave his eyes as the man took her hand. "No. You can't be loyal to him, ever. Not for myself, but for yourself, Rose. You only belong to yourself and you only have to be loyal to yourself. No matter what he did or said you are your own."
Rose nodded, "Just as you are your own?  After Mead saved you, you still could have ended your life but you didn't.  And perhaps in that choice you showed that you don't belong to Dameon."
Fin considered this and then nodded. "Yes. I am my own. Or I was, I'd have to be so that I can give all of who I am to you." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Now once again, I think it's time for you to sleep, Angel-dear."
Rose smiled her sweet smile up at Fin.  She stood up pausing to give Fin another kiss on the check and then climbed back into bed.  Zoey jumped up next to her and curled up.  Fin pulled a bed roll out of his pack and laid it out on the floor under the small window. "I promised I wouldn't leave you and I won't. Sweet dreams, Rose."
"Goodnight Love," Rose half whispered.  She knew she would sleep well with Fin so close.  Gently she drifted off to sleep.
As Rose woke the next morning she rolled over and saw Fin sleeping on the floor.  She smiled down at him and rubbed Zoey's head to wake her up.  Zoey looked at her and Rose whispered to her, "Go wake Fin."  Zoey jumped off the bag and walked over to her master, wagging her tail. The dog woke Finley with a big 'kiss."
"Ahh! Get off, Zoey!" Fin was most definitely awake now.  Rose chuckled.  The dog barked and ran around the room.  Fin sat up, brushing the hair out of his eyes and looked at Rose, "Well I'm glad someone found that entertaining. Do you have any idea how unpleasant that is to wake up to?"
Rose just chuckled at Fin.  He stood up and walked to the pitcher and basin in the corner of the room. He poured some water into the basin and splashed it on his face. "Really, it's disgusting!" Fin said as he proceeded to wash the slobber from his face.
"Hate it when she does that," he mumbled, looking for a towel now, his bangs dripping water.
Rose sat up and slipped out of the bed.  "Oh, I'm sorry," she said facetiously.  Then she walked over and gave Fin a quick kiss on the lips.  "How about that for a good morning kiss then?"
Fin grabbed a towel and wiped the water from his face and hair, then he looked at Rose with a horrified expression on his face. "Oh no! I think I just washed away your kiss," he said as his expression changed to mischievous delight. "Do you think you could spare me another?"
Rose burst out laughing.  "Yes I think I could spare another."
"There's another thing I love about you! You're so generous," Fin smiled as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Hmmm, am I?" Rose asked as she tilted her head up.
"Yup," Fin leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose, "Generous," he leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers, "and beautiful." Fin's lips moved against hers as he spoke the last two words.
"mmmm" Rose slightly moaned.  "And you are very handsome," she said as Fin pulled back slightly.  
"Well, we make quite a pair then, don't we my angel?" Fin hugged Rose and whispered, "Thank you," in her ear.
Rose let her head rest against Fin's chest as he hugged her.  "Now," Fin said, pulling back gently. "We should be heading down to the port to see if Mead's ship has docked yet."
"Yes and as soon as you get out I'll change from this night gown into some clothes."
Fin's face went scarlet. "Oh, I, uh, um, s-sorry! I'll just, um," Fin dropped his arms and backed out of the room, almost falling when he tripped over his pack. Some how he made out the door. Finley closed it behind him with a sigh. 'Idiot!' he thought, still blushing.
Rose couldn't help but chuckle at Fin as he left the room.  But she was also slightly surprised at her own boldness in throwing him out so she could change.  Yes, she decided she definitely wanted to wait till they were married to be with him physically.  In a few minutes Rose had changed from her nightgown into some pants and a cotton tunic.  She opened the door and said, "I'm presentable now dear.  Are we going to have breakfast first or go straight to the ship?"
"Uh, um, breakfast," Fin fumbled, his cheeks still a little red. "Just a sec, I'll, uh, get my jacket and my boots." Fin ducked back inside the room and reappeared a couple seconds later. He took a deep breath, "Okay, let's go."
Rose gently took Fin's arm and smiling at his embarrassment gave him a gentle kiss on the check.  Which didn't seem to calm the man down one bit.  They went downstairs and sat at one of the tables.  Bonnie wasn't anywhere to be seen.  Rather it was Sarah who served them.  Sarah was perfectly polite and very pleasant.  Rose found that she actually liked Sarah and she let Finley know so.