Olivia

"Just freaking great!" Storming around the sitting room, I dig through the draw under the TV cabinet and wind up empty. "Stupid moron and his stupid hickeys!"

Shutting the drawer harsher than intended, I turn for the sofa and tear the cushions off one by one until it's bare before me, and the scarf hasn't slipped behind them. Huffing out an exasperated breath, I begin the process of shoving the cushions into place, only to freeze on the last one. Dropping it at my feet, I scoop up the golden object into my hand.

Rolling it between my fingers, I notice it's some sort of token, no bigger than a pound coin. It's old, slightly worn, and I'm certain I've never seen anything like that, at least laying around my house. Although, the longer I stare at it, I'm getting the sense I'm familiar with it. Furrowing my brows, I keep hold of it while ramming the last cushion into place, I grab my jacket and head for the door.

If I keep my head down at work, no one will notice.

Locking it securely behind me, I pick up the pace, knowing my rummaging for the scarf has only put my time to get to work on a tight limit. Thankfully, the air is colder, and David will be in, so if I'm a few minutes late, he won't be harsh on me. With Valentines Day coming, we're going to be rushed off our feet, and I've got to have a fresh head, no distractions.

On the other hand, I do want to see what this token is. I know if I give it back to Jasper straight away, he won't answer why he has it or what it's for. I've never seen a coin like it with the crown laying on a rose. The other side has a capital 'M' imprinted on it, and I'm almost certain it's not a currency.

Jasper. . .

Shaking my head I round the corner, knowing it will be bad if I think about that man, let alone the way his lips took care of me, and how shamefully needy it was making me. I've never been needy for anything, let alone a man, and if I could, I would curse him—just for a couple of days so he learns his lesson. Nothing harsh, excessive hair, or even hair loss. Cursed to wear makeup would be a good one.

Snickering, I continue to flip the strange object in my pocket, nodding to an oncoming couple with their children before making the cross over at the lights. I'm prepared to face karma to bribe him to keep back if he wants to get his coin, but I know that wouldn't be fair. On another note, it will give me an excuse to tell him I'm not interested anymore, make him see that, and send him packing. It will hurt, but hopefully it will be worth it, and life ahead will be as beneficial as I'm hoping it to be.

Emit on the other hand. . . I miss my partner in crime. Just thinking about him brings a pang of hurt, and I'm itching to just message him and talk it out sooner, but I know he's the one who has to make the first move. He was in the wrong, and if I'm to make any progress at changing, I've got to show people they can't do whatever they want with me anymore.

Sighing, I drop my gaze to the floor, watching the lines in the pavement slip by with each step until the time is eaten up and I'm leaning against the wall at David's Mark. The name still makes me laugh because it was his first idea, no matter how ridiculous everyone thought it would be. It's his market, and that's what he wanted to show off, that no one affected his business. And it's brave and inspirational.

Pulling out my phone along with the coin, I search images of old coins. By the time David, Tamsin, Oli, and Marcus turn up, I've scrolled through ten pages, and nothing came close to resembling it.

"Good morning," I greet once we're all inside.

They all say good morning in their own quirky way before we all split off for the lockers, bathroom, or to just crack on. Once I'm in the locker room, I store my jacket, and grip the coin once again after locking my belongings away.

I'll figure out what you are sooner or later.

Jasper

"Emit, I've told you, everything will be alright," I assert, watching as he paces the room, running a hand through his hair. "You're going to have to style that again, you know?"

"Jasper, this is not the time for joking around," he retorts, finally throwing himself on the sofa. "What if she never chooses you?"

The thought of it makes me sick, physically, and mentally. Knowing your True Love rejects you is the worst fate for any Memoir. But she fell in love with me once in this lifetime, I can help her do it again.

"I'm not going to let that happen. I've waited a millennium for her, I'm not going to let her out of my grasp now that I've found her again, Emit." Scrubbing my face with my hand, I finally meet his gaze. "But she can't know yet."

He throws his hands in the air, and it's unravelling the frustration and anger I've had to hold in all these years because I should be the one throwing a fit. I was the one who lost my True Love. Me. I'm the one who had to watch as she was recovered, to feel the loss of my Soulmate slipping away.

"She has to know, Jas! Keeping her in the dark is only going to scare her, she's already coming through, she just needs you to show the way. Do you want her to run?"

"Of course I fucking don't!" I yell, knocking the chair back in my uprise. "I've been thinking day and night how to tell her, how to say the life she knows is just a fragment of the one she previously shared with me. If I push her into it, there's the chance I damage her, and she never recovers. She must remember in her own time and trust me first."

Emit's eyes soften, and he sighs again. Sensing his change in mood, I calm my breathing and drop myself next to him. I know how he's feeling, even back then, the two of them were inseparable. It was hard for the both of us to lose her how we did, but now she's back, and neither of us want to risk chasing her away.

Resting a palm on his shoulder, I give it a strong squeeze before dropping it back into my lap. "Let's get the next two days out of the way, and then we shall go from there. We have greater matters at hand back home," I state, and his nod shows he's in agreement.

Emit would make a great leader, and he's an even better partner for Amy. The poor girl had it tough over the years with mother's plans for the two of us. But she has my respect, as a loyal partner, she's had Emit's back more times than I've ever seen a woman, and she's more than a part of this family.

As if sensing my train of thought, Emit shakes his head with a pleading look. "Jasper, as much as I want you and Olivia to be married and all over each other when the time's right, please make it quick. . . you have no idea how many times mum has tried to hint at us getting together."

The mere thought of another with Olivia boils my blood. It's not Emit's fault, I know he wouldn't. He's a loyal man in nature, especially for a brother and a partner. Mother, on the other hand doesn't know when to stay on her side of the line. I'll make sure it's clear enough for everyone once I've convinced them Olivia has chosen me as her man, and that we're destined for one another.

"Don't worry," I joke, trying to soften the mood. "It shouldn't be too long now."

He chuckles and leans into the backrest. "I've missed you man."

A smile tugs at my lips as I join him. "Me too, little brother. Thank you for this."

Emit nudges my shoulder. "You owe me."

Laughing, I nod.

We enjoy the comfort of each other's presence, embracing the calm and quiet before starting up again. It's times like this I miss, but with each passing day, our responsibilities are needing our attention, and I'm desperate to be with my Olivia again.

"The people are demanding answers."

I groan. "I know, you would think mother and father closed it back then with the letter." Scratching my jaw, I cock my head to the side as I stare up at Emit's ceiling. "Although, their death doesn't quite add up, does it?"

He bobs his head slowly, thinking what I'm thinking. "The First Family wouldn't run away without a reason. If they wanted to shorten their lives, why not do it at the castle?"

Neither of us say another word on the matter, knowing an investigation has to be carried out. The people deserve an answer to what happened to their King and Queen. As the Second Family, it's our duty to make that happen, and to rule Mními how they would.

"You know she will forgive you, just talk to her and she will eventually come round. We both know Olivia can be stubborn," I advise softly.

He scoffs, but a grin is tugging at his lips. "Yeah, that hasn't changed."

Chuckling, I sit up, resting my forearms across my knees before deciding I should get off my ass and make a move.

Turning to him, I offer a small one shoulder shrug. "Take the day off, spend some time with Amy and do something nice, I'll clear up this evening's meeting after I clean the house."

His smile falls, and my heart lags for a second before regulating.

"Jas, are you going to be OK going alone? I don't mind coming to help when you visit."

The gesture has me swallowing the lump forming in my throat, and I have to force a tight-lipped smile whilst waving it off. "Nah, man, you carry on. I'll be fine, but thanks."

Not wanting to stick around for this conversation, I head for the door with a quick goodbye over my shoulder, making sure it shuts without slamming.

Sucking in a deep breath, the thought of going back leaves that emptiness in me, and I hate it. I want to be able to look at it the same way I did a thousand years ago, knowing it was home and she was inside waiting for me.