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Accalia's eyes scan the small crowd in her home as she searches for Judith, but there's no sign of her older maid. She had gone to visit her family and she misses her greatly. Thiora has been taking over Judith, and Accalia can't wait until she's back. She detests the younger maid for her constant, yet subtle ridicule. Not to mention that she has to made remarks about Harry. Accalia is well aware of Thiora's obvious infatuation with him, and she doesn't blame her. While she's bothered by it, she knows deep down that she has no right to be upset.

Since confessing her feelings towards Harry, and him doing the same thing to her, they haven't really talked. Accalia did something stupid that she now regrets; she ran away after telling him that he couldn't love her. At the time, she was still upset about the way he left her and she thought that there was no way that his words were true. When she had gotten to her room and had given herself some time to think about it, Accalia realised how big of a mistake she had made.

She knew that it was entirely possible for Harry to love her, and the real reason that she ran away was that she was scared. Part of her had worried that she didn't actually love him, that her feelings were merely a product of someone finally giving her respect. She knows that women her age are impressionable. All she's ever known in terms of someone loving her was with her brother, and that clearly wasn't love. In the eighteen years that she's been alive, she has never felt respected by anyone—then Harry came along. He wasn't the best to her in the beginning, but he eventually started treating her with kindness.

That kindness made Accalia feel things that she's never experienced, and she had been worried that those feelings didn't actually translate into love. Now however, as she's noticed that Thiora has been spending more time with him, she realises that she truly does love him, and her mistake cost her. Harry has been going out of his way to avoid her and has ignored her attempts to speak. Accalia hates that it took seeing Harry messing around with her maid to make her realise what she felt and she feels that she deserves the cold shoulder that she's been getting.

Not only that, but Accalia knows that Atticus is going to propose to her soon. She's going to have to accept it, and then it'll only be a matter of time before she gets married and she's bound to someone she doesn't love. She's going to have to produce children soon after, and that's going to be her only job. Even though Atticus has assured her that he'll make her happy, she's not so sure that he'll keep his word. The world is slowly closing in on her, and she absolutely hates it.

With a quiet sigh, Accalia quietly gets out of her bed and leaves her room. It's well past midnight, and it's been awhile since she's wandered the hallways this late. She takes a deep breath and turns the corner. There's barley any light that illuminates her way, so she continually bumps her hips on various things. It's when she makes a particularly loud noise that Accalia realises that she's not alone.

"What was that?" a hushed voice asks.

"Probably nothing," a second voice responds. Accalia furrows her eyebrows when she realises that it's Harry and Atticus.

"Maybe we should check it out to make sure," Harry says, sounding suspicious now. Accalia immediately hides in a small doorway, silently praying that they don't find her.

"Stop trying to deflect the conversation," Atticus says, annoyed. "When are you going to tell her?"

"Never, how many times do I have to tell you?" Harry snaps. "I'm here to do what I originally wanted, and you're not going to stop me, and neither is she, got it?" Accalia bites the inside of her cheek as their voices face. She waits a few moments to make sure they're really gone before stepping out. She can't help but wonder who what they're talking about. The 'her' would obviously suggest someone that Harry's close to, and part of Accalia wonders if they were referring to her. What was Harry going to tell 'her'?

"You shouldn't be wandering around the hallways this late," a voice suddenly says behind Accalia. She lets out a quiet gasp of surprise and turns to see that Thiora is standing before her. She's holding a candle and from the small amount of light that it produces, Accalia can see that her maid is smirking. "Something could happen to you."

"Same goes for you," she replies dryly. "You should go back to your bed chamber."

"I would, but I promised Harry that I'd meet him in the gardens," Thiora says, sounding smug.

"Hm," Accalia hums quietly. "Well, I expect that you'll have a wonderful time," she adds before turning away from her.

"Believe me, I will," Thiora says. Accalia grits her teeth at her words but does not turn to face her again. She's aware that her maid is trying very hard to get a reaction out of her and she's determined not to fall for the obvious trick. Besides, Accalia knows that Harry had just gone by with Atticus.

"Goodnight, Thiora," Accalia says coolly as she walks away. Her maid doesn't respond, and the second she's back in her room, she lets out a frustrated groan. She wants Judith back. At least she'd be able to comfort her and Accalia would have the one constant in her life back. Judith has been such an important figure in her life. Accalia views her as the mother she never really had. She had certainly acted like one after everything that happened with Eadmund. Without her here, Accalia feels even more alone than she already has.

It takes a long time for her to fall asleep, and in the morning, the first thing she sees is Thiora's irritatingly smug face. Accalia refrains from rolling her eyes before getting out of bed. There's something off about the way Thiora's acting today, and Accalia knows perfectly well that it doesn't have anything to do with Harry. She decides not to think too hard about it, and begins to get ready for her day. She refuses Thiora's attempts at 'help' and eventually tells her to leave the room.

"Well, lets get this day over with," Accalia says as she looks at herself in the mirror. She takes a deep breath before putting her shoes on and going over to the dining room where she sees her parents as well as Harry. Accalia is about to speak to him but she stops herself, knowing that she can't, and that he won't care about what she has to say. He doesn't want anything to do with her.

"Accalia, it's very nice of you to finally join us," Constance says calmly. "We've been looking forward to seeing you."

"I wish I could say the same," she replies quietly as she sits in her chair.

"Watch your mouth, young lady," her mother says. Accalia rolls her eyes in response and she sits back in her chair, hating that she has to come to these meals.

"To what do I owe the honour of being here this fine morning?" Accalia finally asks. She notices how her parents seem to be acting much more seriously. They're sitting rather stiffly in their seats and she knows that something is off.

"We've got some rather unfortunate news that we need to share with you," Julian says. "It's about your maid."

"Thiora?" Accalia asks with a hint of disgust. Harry's the only one who hears it and he can't help but smile at this.

"The other one," Julian clarifies. "Judith."

"What about her?" Accalia asks immediately. Her heart begins to race and her worry begins to grow when she sees the look her father gives her.

"Well, we have been given some information about her that is rather unfortunate," he begins. There's a very small part of him that feels bad for what he's about to say, but he knows he has to get it over with. "Judith has been accused of being a witch, and she's been found guilty." The whole world seems to have enclosed around Accalia. All noise has been muted, her vision has blurred, and she has no idea what to do.

"We threw her in the river to make sure of the accusations against her, and she had floated. She knew how to swim, therefore proving that she is a witch," Constance says. "Today is the day that she burns."

"I'm going to have to watch, right?" Accalia asks in a hushed voice as she tries desperately to hold in her tears. "Please don't make me."

"Do you sympathize with the witch?" Julian asks with a raised eyebrow. "Perhaps she's brainwashed you, Accalia. Who's to say that you haven't been converted into one of those wretched creatures?" Fear grips at Accalia's heart and she immediately shakes her head, denying anything to do with being a witch.

"Then you will watch her burn," Constance says. "We must set an example. These vile things do not deserve to share the earth with us." Accalia's hands begin to shake, out of stress and fear. She doesn't know what to do in this situation. If she tries to defend Judith, she will be accused of being a witch sympathizer, and she'll be burned as well. Should she still stand up for the mad that's given her so much, or should she remain silent? Accalia knows that Judith would rather her hold her tongue, but it feels wrong to do that.

"We are going to burn Judith after breakfast, so eat now," Julian says. "Or, don't. It doesn't matter to me."

"May I please be excused?" Accalia asked in a hushed voice.

"No, Accalia," Julian says. She takes a deep breath and places her hands in her lap, trying to hide her growing anxiety. She shuts out the world while she waits for the inevitable to come. While she does this, she's unaware of how Harry openly stares at her. He feels a rush of sympathy for her, knowing how important Judith is for her. He wants to speak up too, but he knows that he'd face similar allegations of sympathizing with witches.

After about a half hour of sitting and finishing breakfast, the Starlings and Harry are walking out of the dining room. Accalia is furious that they're making Harry come and watch the burnings too. She doesn't think that anyone should watch Judith burn except her. If she had known what was happening to her sooner, maybe all of this could have been prevented. She knows that the the entire village will most likely watch.

"She's truly one of them?" Accalia finds herself asking as she walks beside her mother.

"Unfortunately, yes," she replies. She feels bad for her daughter, but there's nothing she can do to save Judith. Things have gone too far, she's going to have to be sentenced to death in order to create peace again in the village.

"Why does The Harlequin have to come? Surely he doesn't have to watch?" Accalia had noticed how Harry had gotten tense when he found out that he had to watch the burning, and there was something about that reaction that made her want to protect him.

"We must make an example of your maid. Everyone has to watch so they know that this kind of behavior is not tolerated. We must create an environment where people are not afraid to expose the witches that live among us," Constance says. Accalia can't help but look back at Harry and she notices his nervous expression. She presses her lips together before turning her head away. The small group is walking out of the house now and out to where the the public park is. There's a large stack of logs and sticks, and Accalia's heart lurches when she sees Judith.

She's tied against a large log that's sticking up and she seems very weak. Her hair is matted and various strands stick to her face. Judith appears to have aged greatly in the days since Accalia's seen her last. The old woman seems resigned to the fact that she's about to die, and her heart breaks when she makes eye contact with her lady. She can see the grief in her eyes and she wants nothing more than to tell her that everything is going to be okay.

Accalia wishes that she could embrace Judith one last time, but she knows that she can't. She maintains eye contact with her as the villagers begin to file around the large mass of wood. The two women have a silent conversation as Julian begins this long winded speech. Judith tries to convey to Accalia through her eyes that everything is going to be okay, and that she loves her deeply. Accalia is somewhat comforted by this and she tries to convey that she's sorry that this is happening.

"Burn the witch," Accalia hears her father say. Two men who had been holding lit torches place the flames down onto the sticks. A few moments pass and the wood begins to burn. Judith remains stoic as the flames lick at her feet. It's become increasingly hot and she bites on the inside of her cheeks as the fire begins to burn. She's determined not to scream, she doesn't want to give them the satisfaction. She knows exactly who turned her in, who accused her of being something that she not.

As the flames fully engulf Judith's body, Accalia has to look away. She's trying very hard not to cry at what is happening. She knows that the villagers are looking at her, wanting to see if she's showing any signs of sympathy. She bites on her bottom lip and closes her eyes when she hears Judith beginning to scream; she had been unable to hide her pain. The villagers are cheering and jeering at Judith's pain.

"Burn the witch."

"Burn witch, burn!"

"Burn them all!"

More and more chants fill the air and Accalia can't help it anymore. She brings her sleeves up to cover her face and she allows her one moment to cry. Her body is shaking with grief and she forces herself to look up at Judith. By now, her screaming has stopped, signaling that she's dead. The whole ordeal isn't over though. Accalia has to wait for the flames to be out completely before she can even think about leaving. Instinctively, Accalia looks around, searching for the one person she knows would be able to provide some form of comfort.

Accalia's eyes finally find Harry, and she slowly makes her way over to him. She's immediately filled with concerned when she sees how panicked and distressed he is. It looks like he's seen a ghost; his eyes are wide with horror, and his hands are balled into fists. She hesitantly reaches out to touch his arm and notices how he jumps at her touch. He looks down at her and lets out a shaky sigh.

"Can we please get out of here?" he asks.

"We can't, Harry," Accalia says sadly. "We can't leave or we will get in trouble."

"I—I can't do this, Accalia. I can't," Harry says as his eyes fill with tears. "Please." She sighs quietly and looks around the area. No one is watching them and she bites on her bottom lip.

"Alright," she says. "Let's go, Harlequin." She grabs his hand and begins to pull him through the crowd. Once they're past most of the people, they run all the way back to the Starling home. They don't say a word as they head inside Accalia's bedroom.

"I'm sorry," Harry says quietly as he takes several deep breaths. "I know how important Judith was to you."

"Harry, are you okay?" Accalia asks as she moves over to him. Her hands cup his face and makes him look at her. His emerald eyes stare down at her and he smiles sadly.

"I don't want to talk about that right now," he says. His hands go to her hips and is determined not to let her go this time.

"Harry, I don't know if that's a good idea," she says, knowing immediately where his mind is going. "The timing is wrong."

"Please, Accalia," he says. "Please, I just need a distraction."

"If we do this, will we talk after?" Accalia asks, knowing deep down that she needs a distraction as well. "I'm not only talking about what just happened. I want to talk about us."

"I promise," he says before leaning down and kissing her. Her eyes immediately close at this and her arms wrap around the back of his neck. He pulls her closer to him and as his lips move against hers, he manages to get the two of them over to the bed. He pulls away to let turn Accalia around before he quickly begins to untie her dress. He eventually gets frustrated at how hard it is to get the material off, so he just rips it, ignoring the indignant loom that Accalia gives him. He bends her over the bed and grabs her ass, massaging the ample amount of flesh.

Accalia moans into the blankets of the bed as he smacks her ass. She grabs the sheets and holds onto them tightly as he feels his fingers run through her slit before pushing them in. She squirms at the feeling and Harry pushes down on her lower back, preventing her from moving. He curls his fingers inside her, stroking her walls and reveling in his tight she is. He feels himself growing hard at the sight of her writing in pleasure at his touch. He feels his heart beating quickly and he lets out loud groan as she comes around his fingers.

"You're so perfect," he says breathlessly as he pulls his fingers out of her. He watched as she turns to lay on her back and he bring his fingers, which are coated in her release, up to his mouth. He closes his eyes, savouring the way she tastes. His eyes fly open the second he feels Accalia beginning to undo his trousers.

He sucks in a breath as her hand grabs his manhood, and his head leans back slightly as she begins moving her hand. Accalia looks at Harry before slowly sliding off the bed and kneeling in front of him. He's seemingly unaware of what she's about to do, and she smiles to herself before pressing her lips to the tip of Harry's cock.

"Holy shit," he groans. Of the women he's been with, no one was ever bold enough to put their mouths on him in this way. As Accalia slowly bobs her head up and down while hollowing her cheeks, Harry tangled his fingers in her hair and bucks his hips slightly. The movement causes her to gag and pull away. He doesn't seem to notice his and she takes a deep breath before dragging her tongue along his shaft before taking him in his mouth again.

"Darling wait," Harry says as he feels pressure beginning to build in his lower abdomen. Accalia pauses her movements and stares up at him after pulling away. "I want to finish inside you." She nods slowly and Harry lifts her up before laying her on the bed. He leaves open mouthed kisses along her stomach and up the valley of her breasts. His lips close around her nipples, biting gently and pulling hard, wanting to hear her moans fill the room.

"Harry, please," Accalia pants as she feels his hand cup her. He smiles against her skin and begins to suck harshly on the skin of her neck as he moves his hand away. He adjusts his position before very quickly pushing himself inside her. He's filled with a strong sense of desperation once he feels her body engulf him and he begins to thrust in and out of her very quickly. He doesn't give Accalia time to adjust to his size and is too caught up in giving himself pleasure. She doesn't mind though, and whispers words of encouragement. She knows that he's in a vulnerable state of mind; if she's able to make him feel a little better, then she's happy.

"Accalia," Harry says in a strangled moan as he feels himself getting closer to the edge.

"Let go, my love. Let go," she says softly, holding him close. She can feel his tears run down the side of her neck as he lets out a groan. She feels him fill her up and she closes her eyes and letting out a quiet sigh as he moves out of her.

"I'm sorry," Harry says as he sits up. There are tears running down his cheeks and he quickly wipes his face. "I—I know that I didn't let you finish a second time but—"

"It's okay, Harry," Accalia says as she sits up as well. She manages to convince him to lay back down and he rests his head on her breasts. "I'm sorry that you're so upset. I wish I could take away your pain."

"I'm so selfish," he sighs as he runs his fingertips along her bare stomach. "Here I am, wallowing in my own self pity, when you've just lost someone really important to you."

"We can talk about me later, Harry," Accalia says as she strokes his hair. "Let's talk about you, but only if you're okay with that."

"I just...I don't want you to leave me after I tell you why I'm so upset," Harry admits. "I'm so scared that you'll leave me and I don't want that."

"I won't do that to you this time, Harry," she says firmly. "I'm tired of leaving." He takes several deep breaths as he struggles to gather his thoughts.

"Seeing Judith burn brought back memories that I hoped I'd never have to experience again," Harry begins slowly. "It...it reminded me of when I watched my mother being burned at the stake for supposedly being a witch."

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a/n: tbh, I was going to split this chapter in two, but I didn't want to make this story even longer. We're slowly reaching the end, and I'm so excited to see how all of you react!