Théadan’s arms lifted from around her and Navia lost the reassuring sensation of the warmth in his embrace. She watched him with a despondent expression as he brushed at the tears beginning to slide down her cheeks, her features not changing as Théadan returned words of love and pressed another kiss to her lips. It was so hard to know she had to walk away from him and leave him alone in the dungeon again. He assured her he would see her again and she nodded, knowing they were always going to figure out a way back to each other, but not wanting to go through the pain of waiting for that way to appear for them. She started to leave him then, but it was turning away and reaching for his journal so she paused. “I will,” Navia answered quietly as she took the journal from him and held it to her chest for safekeeping. With Théadan’s attention shifting over to her brother, Navia’s did as well, her eyes taking in the way he stood stiffly just outside the door, waiting for them to finish.<br/><br/>He just could not understand. Could not fathom how this man had convinced his sister, his intelligent, clever sister that they were in love with each other. Yousef might have turned around to give them the privacy Navia had requested, but it did not mean he did not hear their quiet words to each other. Yousef had agreed to let Marek question Théadan, but the more Navia fought to reach the Mes’Mo’Tanian, the ornerier she was about his release, the more questions Yousef had. So when Théadan addressed him directly, reminding him that he would be waiting if Yousef decided he would speak with Théadan, he was tempted to say he would be. He would have to consider whether that was smart however. His allegiance to Khlurios needed to remain pure and Navia’s relationship with the prince could lead to that becoming tainted.<br/><br/>He could feel Navia’s intense gaze on his back though, and knew if he did not at least acknowledge the call of his name and invitation for a talk, Yousef would not hear the end of it. Knowing that, he half turned to see the way Navia was standing next to the prince with tears in her eyes and regretful expression on her face. His gaze then darted over to rest on the Mes’Mo’Tanian who had seemingly captured her heart. A simple nod was all Yousef gave Théadan in response before he looked back to Navia, “Let’s go.”<br/><br/>She hesitated briefly, not wanting to leave and looking back to Théadan with a frown. She didn’t want to anger Yousef after he’d given them time to say goodbye though, and so Navia rose onto her toes to press one last kiss to Théadan’s cheek and squeezed his arm gently in silent goodbye before she removed herself from the prison cell as well. “Could we remove his chains?” Navia asked her brother as the dungeon guards stepped forward to shut the door again and she watched Théadan disappear from her view, "He has not fought any of this unneeded aggression toward him."<br/><br/>“No.”<br/><br/>“What about providing him with a bed? He can’t sleep in a room like that—“<br/><br/>“No, Navia.”<br/><br/>“He’s a<i>prince</i>, Yousef,” Navia protested emphatically as she followed her brother up the stairs and out of the dungeons, her wet<i>khussas </i>leaving footprints behind her. As soon as they were back out in the light of the palace, Yousef turned around to glare at her, but Navia took advantage, placing a hand on her brother’s arm to steady herself while she removed her soaked shoes, preferring to go barefoot in the palace than to have wet feet, “Does he not deserve some of the comfort his title would normally bring him?” Royalty from any country were never treated the way her family was treating to Théadan. Reminding them of that could possibly at least free him of the dungeons.<br/><br/>“Has he ever told you how many Khluri he’s murdered?” Yousef countered with a growl, “I bet he doesn’t even know. Why should we give someone like that any comforts?” He had seen the horrors of war himself, had seen what those three princes had done for the glory of their country. How could Navia ask him to look past those terrible memories so the prince could have some comforts while he awaited the King's decisions?<br/><br/>“All I know or care about is how much he loves me,” Navia answered savagely, hating that Théadan’s past was all Yousef could see,  “If you would just give him a chance to—“<br/><br/>“Don’t try to go down there again, Navia.”<br/><br/>“Will you please listen to me—“<br/><br/>“If you do, I’ll have him moved and you won’t find him.” Before she could protest, he spun on his heel to depart. It pained Yousef to threaten her, but Navia needed to understand it was for her own good. She had to get used to the fact the Mes’Mo’Tanian would soon no longer be part of her life.