That was when we finally addressed the core issues that had kept us apart for so long. I sat alone on the teakwood swing, gazing at the serene beauty of the man-made lake behind my father's opulent mansion.

"You seem to like the quiet," a voice said, making me jump.  I turned to see who it was.

"What gave you that idea, Fae?" I asked, shrugging.

"You've been sitting here for, like, an hour," he said, coming closer and offering me a strawberry milkshake. "Here you go."

"Thanks," I whispered, the milkshake suddenly tasting bittersweet. "Where's Xavier?"

Rafayel’s voice was low, almost hesitant. "He's with his new cousins, playing."  

He...