Ashton rushed back inside after giving back Percy’s wand. “Are you okay, babe?” He asked Cara as he embraced her.
Cara wiped her tears as Ashton did his best to comfort her. “I’m fine.” She said without that familiar smile on her face.
Ashton noticed the book in Cara’s hand. “She gave that to you?” he asked Cara.
Cara bobbed her head and held it close to her chest. “Hmm, listen. I would like some alone time in my room today. Can you do that?” She asked Ashton.
He kissed Cara’s forehead. “Of course. Anything you say, my love. I would have to work by my bed.” His humor could not go through his wife.
They went on about their day and like before, but Ashton could not ignore the fact that Cara was not being her usual self. Their relationship has been somehow deep enough that he understands her without even saying a word. Ashton did not want to push Cara to talk to him. He kept silent to give Cara a room to breathe.
“Good night, my love.” Ashton lovingly said to Cara before she closed the door to her part of the room. He got no answer from Cara, but seeing that faint smile on her face was more than enough for him.
Cara went straight to bed with the book Percy handed her. “I need to get this off my mind.” She scolded herself as she reluctantly opened the book. “Grrr! I can’t” She closed the book and buried her face on her pillow. “Should I call Theo?” She pondered her next action as she breathed heavily. “Should I just ask him directly?” She sat up, feeling frustrated by her situation.
“Hey, what’s up? You should not call me like this.” Theo reminded Cara how dangerous it is to call him directly.
“I’m sorry. I’m just feeling lost right now.” She said as her voice cracked.
“What happened? Where are you?” Theo asked Cara in panic.  
Cara felt the worry in Theo’s voice. “Gosh, this is so inappropriate. “ Cara realized how awkward it would be for Theo to listen to her love problems.
“No, no… It is perfectly fine.” Theo reiterated.
“I love Ashton.” She declared to Theo.
“Ouch. You don’t have to shout it out to my face. I know.” Theo answered with a chuckle. “How about telling me something I don’t know?” He dared Cara.
“His love for me is untrue.” Cara bared her heart out.
“You don’t know that.” Theo would give up everything so he could embrace Cara right now.
“You are right. I am unsure. And knowing the facts… Well I’m not confident enough that I will be able to handle it.” Cara finally let her defenses down and wept.
“You are strong. You can handle it, as long as it is the truth.” Theo boosted Cara’s confidence. His heart bled hearing Cara’s cries. “Well, if all else fails, you can always come back to me.” He tried to humor Cara.
“Thank you for listening to my senseless problem.” Cara expressed her gratitude to Theo.
“Senseless? Don’t you ever say that? I would kill and be killed just to make sure you are happy, Cara.” Theo said it like he does not really care at all about his own being.
“Hey. This is just a love problem, not anything in a life and death situation.” Cara stopped Theo’s enthusiasm. “I’m just not sure if I can trust him with my love, with my life.” She made her concern known to Theo, someone who also has a problem with trust.
“Trust is such a big word,” Theo butted in.
“I know,” Cara said in a low voice. “His confession of love for me is just the tip of the iceberg. What else could he be hiding from me?” Cara exposed her worries.  
Theo clicked his tongue in disagreement with Cara. Even if he longs to be with her, he knows that Cara is making a big deal out of something she is not even sure about yet. “You will only know when you ask him. That is, if you are brave enough to do so,” he said without pause.
They both ended the call and Cara was left with her dilemma. Should she learn from the book or hear it straight from Ashton? Who should she trust? She can’t trap Ashton in false pretense of love just because she ordered him to be kind and sweet to her. What’s worse is if he is in connivance with other witches to bring her down so he can be free from her forever.
Cara does not know what to believe anymore. She looked down at the little brown book that she placed on her chest. She opened it and saw the words as clear as day. “The Gods gave the servants another punishment so severe it led many of them to eradicate themselves. They are incapable of love, incapable of feeling the most wonderful feeling in the world; to love and be loved. Their life will be strictly for the service of the Sakalam.”
Tears fell down from Cara’s eyes like waterfalls on a rainy day. She could not believe what she had just read. What she felt about Ashton felt so real, but it wasn’t. Now she could not be sure of anything he said to her.
“knock, knock,” Ashton knocked on the wall between him and Cara. “Babe, are you okay? It is kind of worrying me a bit. You know my heart aches with just the thought of going to bed and you are not by my side.” He said with a sincerity in his tone.
This is what makes Cara feel so upset. He takes everything he says and accepts it as true. Those words he just said could just sweep her off of her feet only if she did not know the truth. She cleared her throat before she spoke. “Come here, then.”
Ashton heard Cara loud and clear. He almost fell off his bed. “I’m coming.” He answered as he hurriedly knocked on Cara’s door.
“Come in,” Cara said.
Ashton puffed his breath against his hand, making sure it was “fresh” for Cara. He composed himself as he went inside Cara’s room.  He found her standing by the window. It was such a beautiful sight for Ashton. The moonlight shines on her perfectly. Her ethereal beauty knocks him off every time. Ashton wrapped his arms around Cara’s waist and kissed her shoulder. “I thank God every day for cursing me. Being with you is the best punishment I could ever receive.”
 Cara turned around and drew Ashton towards her. Their faces were so close she could taste Ashton’s breath. “I love you,” Cara said in between her panting.
“Oh, babe. I lo…” Ashton could not finish his words. Cara grabbed his lips like they hadn’t kissed for a long while. Ashton slipped his hand inside Cara’s night gown but Cara had another thing in mind. She pushed Ashton to the bed.
Cara stood in front of Ashton as she took off her clothes one by one. He took a deep sigh as he marveled at the gem in front of him. Cara crawled towards him and it only made his heart pound harder. He moved forward and met Cara’s lips.  
They explored each other’s bodies like it was the first time. Cara surrenders everything to Ashton as they both cave in to their carnal desires. They both reached their limit twice until they both dropped tired on their bed.
“My love, you have so much energy I could barely keep up.” Ashton chuckled as they cuddled on the bed.
Cara laughed briefly, but her face turned serious. “I love you so much, Ashton.”She paused and clasped his face with her hands. “You don’t have to lie to me anymore, Ashton. I know everything. You are incapable of love.”