The king was not as poised.

He stood, animatedly, and began shouting his opinion, "That is preposterous. If the tresor is found within Gemmes, the bounty is mine! Anything in the mountains belongs to me. Me! I own the King's Montagne! I am the king for Hedge's sake!"

"Legend has it this tresor is more than gems. It is power. It is strength. It holds the hope of a future and will belong to the person who finds it, not the one who claims it."

"So what do you propose, since you clearly know all about this legend?" He voice cut with an edge, and in that moment he hoped to hurt Drake. The bearer of bad news was an understatement. This was life altering news.

"I propose, Your Highness, that you find the tresor first. You don't give this child a chance. If you find it first, it is yours."

"But you said there are seven stones. He already has the other six. Can I go take them from him and claim them as mine? Will it work then?"

"I think so. See, you need to gather all seven stones and place them in the mountain's foot, on an altar of some sort. Once they are together in the right place then you can open the mountain. Then the real tresor is yours. It's not about finding the stone, per se. The important part is placing them."

The room fell silent. Marcus shook his head slowly at first, then faster, as if a child preparing for a tantrum.

"But the ball, the dignitaries. The Royalty from four nations have already responded that they will attend. What do I tell them? That the king is now traipsing the country looking for a stone?"

"No. You tell them nothing. You tell no one anything. Not a soul. If word gets out, chaos will break lose. Can you imagine, an entire country fighting for the chance to find this particular garnet!" Drake sounded adamant in his approach.

"A garnet? One single measly garnet? A garnet is not precious, not rare. Thousands sit in my vault this moment. Why is that the final stone? Isn't the diamond of Gemmes much more valuable than that?" The king sat back down, wanting to understand what he dealt with.

"I don't know the reason. I only know what the palace historian told me. He filled me in late last night when I had gotten word. We were up most of the night pondering the ins and outs of the legend."

"Does he know, that there is only one gem left to find?"

"No. I kept the reason a secret, not wanting to throw the palace into pandemonium. As long as everyone else continues on as planned, with Cozette preparing for the ball ... we will deal with this all quickly. Tristan is on a roll, he will want to find this stone before the month's out."

"Then we should go look in my vault. Look for the stone. Send your scouts to locate Tristan. I want to be steps behind him. Or better, make him a prisoner. Torture him for the facts."

"As you wish, My Lord. I will send word immediately to the King's Legion to search the country." Drake stood to go, "One other thing I thought I should mention." He wouldn't meet the King's eyes.

"What's that?" Marcus shouted.

"The Hedge Riders. They were seen where the boy last traipsed. The Hedge is after him, too."

Anger shook through Marcus as he slammed his fist on the table. No one had seen The Hedge Riders for generations. He knew the tresor must be real if they were willing to come and fight for it.

"I will find this boy. I will not lose everything for some stupid child who can find buried tresor!" His voice bellowed across the room, causing Drake to wince.

The trade routes were the least of his worries if the Riders had appeared. He knew the darkness required to summon them.

Sophie King's Montagne North, Gemmes Walking back to Madame Josephine's boarding house, Sophie pretended not to notice the people who passed them and the whispers creeping in her ears. Townspeople literally pointed at them. Though Tristan walked with the ease only a handsome man can get away with, and she grew up with her not-mother commenting on her beauty ... she wasn't used to people giving her so much positive attention.

Worse, Tristan soaked it up. He smiled and tilted his head toward them, as if they shared a secret.

Tristan leaned over and whispered, "The villagers know I'm the Gem Tracker, they think I am the future of Gemmes. They're sick of the king's tyranny ... and believe I am the change."

With arms linked, Sophie wouldn't dare leave his side, not now that she wholly invested herself in the tresor. When they returned to the Auberge and placed the diamond in its hiding place, with the four other stones, she would be secured to him until the last gem found itself in their hands. He promised her as much, and she'd hold him to his love-struck words. Her future life in eclat hinged on it.

She liked Tristan's bold bravado, his strong wit and adventurousness. He wasn't anything like Henri. Henri was so ... so ... safe. He wore an apron and happily made croissants. Regular and ordinary and only interested in her in a puppy love sort of way.

This is what turned Sophie's stomach to knots.

How much easier his life would have been if he'd chosen to be friends with the silly boys in town instead of her. But no. He always chose to stay by her side.

Which is why her stomach ached as Tristan whispered in her ear again, asking if they should stay in the same room when they returned to the Auberge. "We can save a few jaspers," he said with a laugh. Both knowing jasper was the last thing on his mind.

Henri would hate her if he knew she gave the ring away. Returning to the village empty handed was out of the question; she could never face him again. It would be unbearable to see the look on his face if she showed up to the Vallee with the Gem Tracker. No. That would be too terrible. She didn't want to crush him. Just not marry him.

She stared straight ahead, trying to push away thoughts of Henri, and focus instead on the person absolutely focused on her.

"So, what is the next stone on the list?" she asked genuinely interested in finding out where the next leg of this quest would lead them.

"Let's wait until we get somewhere more discreet to talk."

Sophie nodded, growing aware that people actually followed them, watching their every move. It unnerved her.

Tristan stopped to purchase the makings of a meal from a vendor at a market stall. Sophie watched the stones exchange hands, realizing for the first time how truly poor she had grown up.

A single mother raised her for years, and Sophie never actually considered contributing financially. Not like Henri had done for his family for years. Her life had never afforded the luxury to purchase a jug of vin, hearty loaves and rich meat and cheeses on a whim.

As they kept walking, Sophie realized she liked having someone with money, who chose to take care of her. She liked the envy of the people they passed. Her not-mother always hounded her on the characteristics of a good partner, honesty, integrity, and morality. Sophie had always found herself more interested in the rough and tumble. The ones who drank more than they ought, and who said things they shouldn't in the company of women.

"We can go to your room when we get there. I don't want to be alone," she said. Her mind floated back to Miora and the stone reading. Miora had warned her against a grim future. She didn't want to face that alone in an unfamiliar room. She tugged on the moonstone necklace. It had grown warm, and Sophie couldn't help but wonder what that might mean.

They walked briskly to the Auberge and quickly climbed the flight of stairs, anxious to rest after a long morning. Packing up and heading back down the mountain had taken hours. As Tristan swung open the door, Sophie couldn't help but eye the single bed with confidence. Surely a night in this bed with the Tracker would make up for the exhausting twenty-four hours she'd had.

They set down their bags with a huff, travelling proved exciting, but quite exhausting.

"First things first," Tristan said the moment the door closed. He pushed a chair under the doorknob, jamming it in tight. He went to the same place she had watched him go the day before, when he first showed her his gemstones.

She helped him push the bureau out of the way and then they rolled back the rug. She sorted through his bag, handing him the wide bolstered chisel per his request.

He pulled her closer to him and stole a kiss, full on the lips. Then another, exploring her mouth, as she dropped in his lap. The hiding of the jewels no longer the first thing on either of their minds.

She sighed, breathlessly, reminded of the kisses the night before at the fire. Her desire grew and it wasn't until a knock came on the door that they remembered the urgency of hiding the diamond.

"Tristan?" Madame Josephine called, rapping on the door once more.

"Yes, what is it?" he called back, clearly taken off guard. He whispered to Sophie, "Into the bathroom, there through the door."

"The dresser?" she asked, pointing to the bureau they just moved.

"I'll open the door a crack."

"Alright," Sophie said raising her eyebrows at him. She stood, leaning over further than necessary, revealing what hid under her blouse to him. She picked up the hem of her skirt, holding it higher than necessary, and smiled deliciously at him before tiptoeing to the bathroom. She pulled the door shut as Tristan moved the jammed-at-the-doorknob chair.

She heard the old-fashioned woman address him as the room's door creaked open slightly. She leaned against the bathroom door to hear more closely.

"I wanted to be sure you had enough linens. I was down at the miner's hospital the other day when you arrived. They've set up a make-shift area where we can try to nurse the men to health."

"Oh that's good of you. I know everyone is pitching in to help the effort. Remy sends his love, of course. You know, he isn't well, either. That's why he didn't come with me."

"Oh dear, Tristan. I always worry about you boys traipsing in the mines. Poor Remy. I'll be saying my prayers to the Hedge."

"Well, if you don't mind, I need to clean myself up. Thank you again for keeping the rooms for us."

"Oh sweetie, you and Remy are what keep this old place of mine from ruin."

Sophie heard the door click shut and she smiled wide as Tristan swung opened the bathroom.

"Well, look at you, providing for the old hag out of the generosity of your heart," Sophie teased.

"Hardly. She was Remy's au pair as a boy. That woman would do anything for him. Why do you suppose we hide our tresor in the floor of her Auberge?"

"I hadn't supposed."

"You need to start supposing a lot more if you're to be a Gem Tracker. This is serious. The king will be after me as soon once he realizes I have another stone. You saw the townspeople. They know who I am. It's a dangerous job."

"How dangerous?" Sophie provoked, handing him the chisel once more, raising her eyebrows seductively.

"Very." He didn't take her bait. "Truly. We were only in the Montagne a day; people will realize I'm moving on to the next stone. The king has informants everywhere. You know that. And they're not only reporting on me, but on all the movement in Gemmes."

Tristan began prying up the single floorboard. So clever, Sophie realized, thinking how much Tristan cared for the tresor, more than anything else. This became obvious to her as he cautiously took the black box from her outstretched hand. She watched as he gingerly opened the box, revealing the brilliant stone, his face alight as he peered at it from different angles.

Once he set the stone gently next to the others, they made quick work of replacing the board, laying the carpet and scooting back the bureau.

"Voila!" Sophie said, clapping her hands toward him. "Magnifique!"

He returned her grin as he took a seat in a chair, sighing and stretching out his body.

"You look beat up," he said, as he began unlacing his leather boots.

"That bad, huh?" she asked.

"A bath's through there and I can bring you some warm water if you'd like to wash up."

"Yes. Do that," she answered quickly. Then she paused, biting her lip, "And then what, Tristan? What do you want to do next?"

Sophie watched Tristan turn red, and Sophie laughed out loud. She made him nervous she realized, with a little more satisfaction than appropriate.

"You aren't answering me, Tristan. That's not nice." She pouted her red lips at him, crossing her arms, pushing up everything she had under the blouse. "I'll forgive you just this once. I'm not made of stone." She walked through the door leading to the bathroom and heard him moan as she clicked the door shut. Looking in the mirror, she smiled.

This whole game of cat and mouse was actually quite fun.

She slipped off her filthy skirt and top, dirt caked her hem and a coat of grime covered her skin from all the mountain hiking. Though she'd be a lot dirtier if she'd gone ahead and left for the mines. She didn't like to admit that maybe she didn't have what it took to be a miner.

She pretended to be much stronger than she felt.

Her clothing fell to the floor and Sophie stood in her chemise and underclothes. She re-tied her hair on her head, an absolute mess from the mountain humidity. Her narrow shoulders ached from the pack and Sophie inspected her skin, realizing a bruise had formed above her hips where the pack dug at her waist.

A small knock on the door caused Sophie to jump in surprise, but she stood straight, her slender frame facing the door. Only a slice of wood separated her nearly-naked body from Tristan's strong and striking one.

"I have the water, Bijou," he called, pushing the door open. "Do you want --?"

She cut him off. "You can bring it in."

A long pause hung in the air and Sophie wondered if she'd been too bold. She looked at herself in the mirror again, and realized though sweaty, no man would refuse what she offered.

"You don't mind? I can set it down ... or...." He walked in the small bathroom, holding a large pitcher of water. He looked at her standing before him, and tensed. "I think I'll need more gallons to fill this." He laughed looking at the size of the tub and the size of the jug. He would need to do this trip a dozen times to fill it.

"It's fine; pour it into the basin there. I don't need the luxury of an entire bath. Honestly."

He nodded, and began pouring, his hands shaking slightly.

"You seem nervous or something," Sophie stated.

"You make me...." He exhaled slowly as if trying to gain control of himself.

"What?" She seemed entirely aware of what being nearly naked meant. She enjoyed it.

"I think if I gave into what I want to do with you, I couldn't stop myself." He stared at her, but she realized he looked intent at her chest. She smiled at his humanity.

"I don't care."

She didn't.

She knew what she wanted. She wanted to feel dangerous and in control and consumed. She wanted him to keep looking at her like she was irresistible.

"All girls care. Virtue, and all that."

"I'm not most girls. Besides, I think the whole concept of virtue is rather archaic. I mean, I want you. You want me. We are both consenting partners, what are you so worried about?"

"How modern of you, Mon Petit Bijou."

He pulled her close and pressed his lips against her neck. He kissed her skin and he kissed her shoulders. She didn't ask him to stop.

"I want you," he whispered.

"I know," she replied, breathlessly, pressing her body against his.

They pushed out of the bathroom and onto the bed. Sophie unabashedly straddled him, pulling at the buttons on his shirt, completely in control of what she desired.

"You are recklessly perfect, Sophie." Tristan pushed his hands under her chemise, and Sophie shivered at his touch against her back.

"That's about right," she said, laughing as she tugged at the leather belt on his pants. An intoxicating grin spread over his eyes and Sophie flushed, knowing how completely she craved his chiseled face and lips to be against hers.

A loud noise from outside the window distracted her, "What's that?" she asked.