"What are you talking about Miss?" 

"What? I can't live here?" 

"I- well. I don't have any say over that. I just can't believe someone so young is living in one of the infamous enchanted forests. " 

"Ha, then what are you doing here?"

He looks up for a moment before looking back down.

"Well, hunting beasts just like you are."

"I'm fighting them, actually." 

"What?" 

"I'm fighting the beasts to get stronger." 

"I-I see. " Finishing up the wrap for a wound on my leg he rested his gaze on me for a moment. A look of concern mixed with relief sat in his eyes.

"I'm here quite often hunting the beasts for parts. I hadn't decided to venture further into the forest until today. I'm glad I did."

"I'm glad too. I-uh-." It's been some time since I've spoken with anyone other than Amelia. I'm not sure what the best way to go about this is, so I figured I’d just say it plainly.

"Um, thank you for saving me." 

I averted my eyes. I was embarrassed by my own overconfidence and awkwardness that brought me to this point.

He chuckled a little and it was like music to my ears.

"Happy to be of service."

Whoa. 

Hearing that was enough to put my mind in the clouds. During the process I snuck a few glances at him, and the moonlight kept its shine on us. A gentle illumination showing his sharp features. He was definitely a noble….

After a few more moments of silence, he finished mending my wounds.

"There. Should be all good on the outside. Your broken bones will take some time to heal, though."

I sighed softly. My body, while sore and hot from the internal pain, felt nice and cool on the outside. 

"Will you be able to make it home?" He inquired, looking over me once more. 

"I'll be just fine." 

Using my arms to try and lift myself to standing on the tree branch I let out a silent scream, while frozen where I stood.

Wedged with my back up against the tree trunk and my hands trying to push me up I was still. He raised an eyebrow at me.

"You'll be just fine?" He gently brushed his hand against my rib cage.

I let out another silent scream, this time a small squeal escaping me to indicate my pain. Tears were in my eyes but I was defiant to let them fall. Especially not after all that I had talked!

I held in my tears. I spoke with my mouth practically closed.

"Mmm. I'll be just fine." More of a strained mumble than words, I answered the best I could.

"Sure." He scoffed, holding back a laugh. "But wouldn't it be nice to be better than 'just fine'?" He smiled at me through the darkness, as if he had this ethereal glow about him.

Clearly confused by his question, I couldn't even think before I answered.

"Sure?"

"Ah, wonderful." The smile on his face looked pure, but it made me stop in hesitation. He looked mischievous. "Then, excuse me!"

Without a moment to spare he picked me up and cradled me in his arms.

"Now, which way is your home?"

Unable to think due to the warmth of the body beneath me, I pointed in the direction he would need to go.

It was unbelievable. 

The forest floor was flying away beneath me. The canopy fluttered past. An awe unlike any other found its way into my chest. Not to mention the way the soft blue of his eyes and hair glistened in the moonlight…

Before I knew it, we had arrived at the clearing. My home, a small, crumbling two-story building looked almost haunted in the night.

"Uh, you live here?"

"Uh, yes?" I snapped back at him.

"Sorry I just-"

"Didn't expect it?” A small fire lit in my heart, an aching after having lived in these conditions for my entire time here. “A young noble like you probably isn't too aware of the squalor an average person lives in. So keep this image in your mind. Even this is far better lodging than most citizens of this empire, so don't forget. Don't ever forget… "

Perhaps I lived such a way in my previous life as well, for I can't explain the sudden bitterness in my heart.

There was a moment of silence. He gave me a gentle squeeze before speaking, eyes stuck on my shabby living.

"I won't. I promise."

My eyes widened in surprise for a moment. I didn't expect him to be so serious about it. Though, I guess given my tone…

"Good. And, this may be forward of me- but don't forget me either. It gets awfully lonely here fighting monsters on my own. I'd appreciate your presence." I said, shuffling out of his arms and dusting myself off as best I could.

I turned back for a moment to bid him farewell, only to see him with his eyes wide. Without blinking he looked at me like I was some kind of mysterious, unheard of creature.

I felt as if I understood his expression.

"What? Has my beauty left you speechless?"

He smirked.

"It has miss-..."

"Kali. My name is Kali."

"I'm Warren.” He grinned and met my eyes. “I'll listen to you. I won't forget what I've seen, and there's no way I can forget you, Kali."

Ugh! Hearing that is a bit too much for my feeble body, and for my already beating heart to be racing even faster…

"I understand. I'll see you again, Warren?"

"You will."

I smiled.

His eyes went wide again. Turning, I went inside.

As soon as I entered the doors I heard an ominous voice.

"My lady. You. Are. In. So. Much. Trouble."

Oops-

I turned towards the shadowy figure of Amelia and caught movement out of the corner of my eye through the window.

It looked as if Warren was putting something inside the ground. Narrowing my eyes, I focused on looking out from where I stood-not hearing a word of Amelia's scolding.

It wasn't visible from here, but the gentle smile on his face… I can't wait til tomorrow to find what surprise he left me.