Athos wasn't not entirely sure if he believed the girl. How on earth could she not have seen at least one man until now? Was she joking? Certainly there had to have been at least one time. However, he felt something deep within his chest. Something he hadn't felt in well over a century. Absolute satisfaction.

For the moment all he could do was take in her unfathomable beauty. Soon it was his turn to glance away.

"My apologies, Ms. Nightingale. You sincerely are an exquisite mystery to me," Athos admitted.

She raised her brows.

"Me? A mystery?" the girl laughed. "How so?"

"You sing with the voice of an angel. You talk to the birds as if they were people. You cannot see during the day but gain back the ability once the sun goes down. And, all the while, I am the first man you have ever seen."

Ora took the time to move over to one of the benches nearby

Ora took the time to move over to one of the benches nearby.

"Well, Sir. It seems as though you have me all figured out then. I am no mystery. But, what about you?"

"Me?"

"You show up as if out of nowhere. You save me from a horrible fall down the stairs without ever introducing yourself. You appear into my life like some gallant knight with white hair," Ora said baffled.

"A gallant knight? Are you in need of rescuing?"

"Are you offering?"

Athos noticed the smile leave Ora's lips. Instinctively, he kneeled down in front of her to see what was wrong.

"Tell me. What is it that My Lady needs rescuing from?"

Ora shrugged. Just for a moment, she wished she could remain with Athos. Where no one in the world could come between them.

Unknowingly, she couldn't keep herself from reaching out to him. Lighty, her hand grazed the side of his face.

"Something that a man would never understand."

. . .

Athos took her hand in his.

"Why not give me the chance?"

Ora sighed. She supposed there was no harm in telling him her true thoughts on the matter.

"In a few days it will be my birthday. From what I've heard, my parents will be hosting an extravagant party. But it's not going to be only for me."

"What do you mean?"

She glanced away.

"I am supposed to meet someone important that night. The person I've been promised to marry."

Athos stood up hastily. He glared at the girl as though she had just insulted him.

"Marry? Marry who?"

"I don't know."

"When?"

"I don't know."

"Why?"

Ora jumped up from her seat.

"Exactly! Why? Why would anyone marry someone they don't even know? It's not right."

"It's insane- is what it is."

Athos took her hands once more. His eyes softened to her fragility.

"Don't."

"What do you mean, don't?"

"Don't marry this person," he explained.

"I don't have a choice in that matter."

He grasped her chin.

"Listen to me. You always have a choice, Ora."

Her eyes filled her tears. She shook her head.

"That's what you don't understand, Athos

"That's what you don't understand, Athos. It doesn't matter what I think or how I feel. A girl like me is just another object that is simply tossed about. I do not have a choice."

(If you like the story so far please feel free to comment or ask questions!)