you yell at her?"

"Just stuff it and help me." I said.

Benedict frowned, "I have my own agenda for today. But, I will keep an eye out for your mysterious maiden."

I turned to leave and wander the town on my own in search of Primrose. After about an hour with no luck, I ran into Fianna. She was alone, for the first time in forever, and she brightened when she saw me.

"Fianna!" I said happily, my heart lighter at seeing my sister. I walked over to her. She burried her muzzled into my neck fur.

"Oh Jem. I've been looking for you! You're looking for Prim, right?" Fianna asked. She was smiling a small smile.

I nodded and almost said, It's Primrose. I chuckled a little and asked my sister, "Did you find her?"

"You aren't going to like where I found her. She was chatting it up with Edmond. I saw them heading to the boiler room."

"Of course she is. Thank you Fi. Take care!" I said and turned around. I needed Benedict. I didn't know if it'd be for emotional support or what, but it just seemed right. He was always with me.

I finally reached Benedict. He was strolling around and his scent mingled with the scent that Ink usually had. He looked as if he had news.

"I just wanted to tell you I saw your little gilfriend." Ben said.

"Hm, you act differently than what I would expect a jealous girlfriend to act."

"Damnit Jem, stop this. Honestly. No, I saw little miss priss with our dear brother Edmond."

I stopped and looked at Ben, "Fi just told me." Something caught my eye then and I turned. Edmond, our brother was flirting with Primrose. Apparently I didn't know my brother as well as I thought I did. He whispered something in Primrose's ear and she lurched backwards and shouted something at him.

"Do you see that?" I asked, my mouth pulling into a wide grin.

"Yes, I'm looking right at them."

"Eddie got rejected- how dreadful!" I said sarcastically.

"Jem," Benedict started, "Never go in to acting."

Primrose seemed to have noticed me and my brother and hurried over, "Honestly, the men in this town! Who are you?" She completely ignored me.

Benedict jumped right up and made a big deal of bowing before the tan female, "I am Benedict, brother to this idiot. And that idiot you finished, er, 'talking' to."

Primrose regarded him with an eyebrow raised, "Charmed. James, I would like to be escorted back home."

I looked at Prim, "Okay. But first can I just say I am so sorry about yesterday."

She blinked in surprise, "Why... Thank you James. But I'd like to go home."

"You have to say the magic word." I said and winked at her.

She huffed angrily and rolled her eyes, "James, take me home. NOW."

Benedict smiled at me, "Awe, now come." He turned back to Prim, "The magic word James is looking for is "God save the queen I am so entwined with my feelings for you"-"

I shouldered him and began to pad away, Primrose at my side. I heard my brother tauntingly call, "Goodbye you two love birds!"

We walked for a while and I caught sight of the estate sitting alone in the distance. I looked over at Prim. It was as good as time as ever. "Miss Primrose, I'd like to apologize to you for my behavior earlier. It was uncalled for, and for such a gentleman to call a nice young lady such things-"

"Blimey James! Honestly, it's okay. I was just so upset that you said something to me. No one's ever told me off, especially for a huge problem that I've struggled with. I shouldn't have been so rude."

I stared at her. She seemed different to me. Our eyes held eachother's gaze. Tension had been between us since we met, and when she took a step forward all the tension broke. I pushed myself forward and we unbalanced eachother. I nuzzled her as we fell into the snow.

Something stopped me when we hit the snow. I imagined Benedict attacking Edmond and I stood up. Primrose stared at me. Something in her eyes flashed with worry and she stood up, "Jem... What's wrong?"

"My brother... You were so lucky he didn't win you over." I said and stood up. Primrose stood up as well, and a smile crept over my muzzle, "You didn't call me James..."

"Shut it! I did too call you James." She shoved me and ran to the house. I followed, throwing my cares for now into the wind. I chased her up to Charlie's room where we both flopped down on his bed, exhausted.

"Primrose..." I whispered. She looked at me and sighed.

I sighed as well. I didn't know what to say. I had begun to grow fond of her, and I knew she'd grown fond of me. But now wasn't the time for romance or what if's. For the time being, Primrose wasn't the thorn in my side. Edmond was. And I needed to worry about him.