Thorne excited for the return of his wife but he was still in thought of his meeting with jax and knew he had to keep it a secret for now, he flashed back on what happened that night after the escape. The windmill's dim light cast eerie shadows on the walls as Thorne and Jax faced each other, their eyes locked in a silent understanding. The air was thick with tension, heavy with the weight of their complicated past. Thorne broke the silence, his voice low and gravelly. "It's been a long time, Jax." Jax's expression remained guarded, but a flicker of curiosity danced in his eyes. "Thorne. I never thought I'd see you again." The brothers' history was woven from a tapestry of theft and adventure, their bond forged in the fire of mischief and excitement. They had once been an unstoppable duo, stealing from the wealthy elite with precision and flair. Thorne, the elder brother, had been the mastermind, while Jax had been the charming distraction. But that life had ended abruptly when Thorne vanished, leaving Jax to fend for himself. The wound of abandonment had never fully healed, and Jax's anger and hurt still lingered. Now, as they stood in the windmill, Jax's mind raced with questions. Why had Thorne helped him escape from the castle prison? What motivated his brother to risk his own life for someone he had abandoned years ago? Jax's curiosity got the better of him. "Thorne, how did you manage to get past the guards? And why did you help me?" Thorne's eyes narrowed, his gaze drifting into the past. "I've got connections, Jax. People who owe me favors. But I didn't do it for free. I need something from you." Jax's instincts prickled, sensing a hidden agenda. "What do you want?" Thorne's smile was enigmatic. "Let's just say I want to make up for lost time, little brother. As they spoke, the windmill creaked and groaned around them, its ancient stones bearing witness to their reunion. The suspense hung heavy, a promise of secrets yet to be revealed, and a dangerous path ahead. Thorne's eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief, a spark that Jax remembered well from their thieving days. "Come on, Jax. Let's get out of here and catch up on old times." Jax hesitated, his mind racing with questions and doubts. But a part of him yearned to recapture the camaraderie they once shared, to relive the thrill of their adventures together. With a nod, Jax followed Thorne out of the windmill, into the moonlit night. They moved stealthily, avoiding detection by the castle guards. As they walked, the silence between them was palpable, filled with unspoken words and unresolved issues. Finally, they reached a small, secluded cottage on the outskirts of the village. Thorne pushed open the door, gesturing for Jax to enter. Inside, a warm fire crackled, and a figure waited in the shadows. Jax's instincts went on high alert as Thorne closed the door behind them. "Who's this?" Jax demanded, his hand on the hilt of his dagger. Thorne chuckled. "Just an old friend, Jax. Someone who's been helping me with my...fishing business." The figure stepped forward, revealing a hooded face and a hint of a smile. Jax's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. "Who are you?" Jax asked, his voice low and even. The figure pushed back its hood, revealing a shock of curly hair and a mischievous grin. "You don't remember me, Jax? Jax's eyes widened as he took in the familiar features. "Kaida? Kaida Blackwood?" Kaida's grin grew wider. "The one and only. And I see you're still as charming as ever, Jax." As they sat around the fire, drinking ale and reminiscing about old times, Jax grinned at Kaida. "I can't believe you're still helping us out, Kaida. You were always the best accomplice a guy could ask for." Kaida laughed, her eyes sparkling. "Well, someone had to keep you two out of trouble. And I have to say, I missed the thrill of it all." Thorne chuckled. "We made a good team, didn't we? The three of us." Jax nodded, feeling a sense of nostalgia wash over him. "Yeah, we did. And Kaida here was always the brains of the operation." Kaida playfully rolled her eyes. "You two were the ones who got us into trouble, if I recall correctly." Thorne leaned in, his voice lowering. "Jax, I have a family now. A wife and a daughter. I can't risk being seen with you, not yet. But Kaida has offered to let you lay low here for a while, until the heat dies down." Jax nodded, feeling a pang of regret for his brother's caution. But he understood. Thorne had built a new life, one that didn't involve theft and danger. As the night drew to a close, Thorne stood up to leave. "I'll come back for you, Jax. When it's safe. Until then, trust Kaida. She'll keep you hidden." With a nod, Thorne departed, leaving Jax in Kaida's care. Jax watched him go, feeling a mix of emotions. He was grateful for his brother's help, but also aware that he was now beholden to Kaida, at least for the time being. As the door closed behind Thorne, Kaida turned to Jax with a smile. "Don't worry, Jax. You're safe here. For now." Jax smiled back, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "Thanks, Kaida. I owe you one." And with that, Jax settled in for a long night's sleep, knowing that he had at least one friend he could count on. Jax raised an eyebrow, sensing that there was more to her words than met the eye. But he nodded, accepting her offer. For now, he had no choice but to trust her. Meanwhile, Thorne returned home, his heart still racing from the reunion with his brother. He found Elara sleeping peacefully, her chest rising and falling with each gentle breath. He kissed her goodnight on the cheeks, feeling a surge of love and gratitude for his family. As he lay down beside her, he couldn't shake off the feeling that their lives were about to change forever. But for now, he just closed his eyes and let the warmth of his bed and his family envelop him. back to reality thorne stood up, took his fishing equpments and headed to the river.