Arick hadn't been around. Not to see Ella, nor in his responsibilities to the mounds. Not even his sister had seen the bastard since that night in her bed. Then, one morning as if by magic, he just appeared in her bed, cuddled around his sister's sleeping form.

She had gone out earlier. Arick hadn't cared how long she might be gone or where she had gone. When she returned, she would find him making himself at home on her bed. Dressed, yes but looking like a big, lazy cat that owned the room.

He'd been away for days. Most of them on business but several had been stolen in the nexus... and in Vegas seeing Ella. But now things had to be done here. Such as confronting someone about her issues.

He was dressed for court. Black on black with his hair back and bound. It was stark look, cold to match the look in his eyes, and he swept through the corridors of the Mounds without looking about.

Pausing outside a door, he knocked once. "Isolde?"

She had raced off, refusing to take his call the next day. He had waited two weeks, calling every other day and yet she never took his call. Finally he'd sent a dozen white roses and a note for her to meet him outside the Bellagio.

And there he waited, alone and pacing, sure she wouldn't show up.