“What, did you want from me?” I asked.

“...” Vervain barely parted his lips before closing them, thinning them as he thought over his words. He stayed back, staring at me, the low light reflecting in his gaze. My eyes darted over him, seeing the dark colored top and golden sash. He looked regal, a prince or a pirate. The pants and boots were not helping with the image. Vervain stepped closer and I saw smaller braids in his hair, held by pale beads and ties a few shades off his hair color.

“Quite honestly, I want to hide you away so no one can find you and hurt you-”

“That’s kidnapping.” He glared and I hunched my shoulders, his gaze immediately softened but he still let out a deep breath from his nose.

“I am by most accounts, Fae. I could steal you and no one would bat an eye nor would they be able to. You’re technically an orphan here, Rán.” Right, no family.

“I didn't mean to get attacked by a troll.” I spelled it out in the air.

“No one does. You're just lucky you survived.” He sighed and I heard the scrap of wood, I looked at him and saw he had moved the stool out the way and nearly collapsed onto me in a hug.

“What happened was a twist of fate.” He sighed, the bed creaked as he settled beside me, holding me close to him. He was careful in holding me, mindful of my injuries I guess. I smelled ozone and crispness of fresh rain. He stared at me, one of his hands coming up to my face and cradling my cheek.

“Why didn't you call for me?”

“I didn’t know if you were busy.” He huffed, obviously angry at my answer, ozone swirled stronger in my nose.

“I can delay matters if I need to, they can wait, there is only one of you, Rán.”

“I didn't ask to be made important.”

“No, you didn't. Still, it won't stop me from deciding that you are.” I frowned and he burrowed me against his chest. I smelled spices and a hint of lemongrass.

“Marry me.” I attempted to look up but only saw the smoothness of his throat.

“Vervain-”

“It won't be a quick engagement, we can take as long as you like but, please, marry me.”

“Why?”

“The North, I know they will try to take you, whether it’s to kill you or turn you into a puppet ruler, I don't know. I can let you live the life you want, the only price is you are bound to me.” I stared at the ‘V’ created by his collar.

“Is it permanent?”

“There are rituals to bind our souls together, yes but we won’t have to do it if you don't want to.”

“Like what?” He chuckled.

“One involves tying our hands together after slicing our palms, making love and biting either the shoulder or neck area during completion, the more times we bite during sex, the stronger the bond will be.” He looked eager at the thought, I inhaled when I realized I could feel him through his pants, sheets and my own clothing.

Vervain seemed to notice too. His ears tipped a soft of pink.

“Apologies, it seemed the talk has unexpectedly invited a friend.” I was incredibly warm. “Granted, being in the arms of a beautiful woman isn't helping either.” He nuzzled the side of my temple, I heard the rustle of the lilies and hoped they were still okay after my encounter with the troll.

“Is there a way, for it to go away?” I asked.

“Yes, I just have to think of that annoying little pest-” A door slammed open, making me flinch. Vervain shifted, body leaning over me as a fist slammed into his cheek.

I gasped, expecting his head to turn with the force of the punch only for it to stay motionless, his cheek a little smooshed if anything. He looked annoyed, I followed the arm and saw it was Edgren. Boyd let out a screeching yowl, back arching and tail puffed.

“Pest.” Vervain huffed. Edgren pulled his arm back and went for another punch only for Vervain to catch it, standing at his proper height. He was quite large for a man, the antlers made him even more imposing as he curled his lips in a growl and exposed fangs.

“Fucking Fae.” Edgren hissed. Vervain pulled him forward and managed to punch Edgren with his own fist. Edgren looked a little dazed granted he was wearing gauntlets, still, his eyes narrowed.

“Stealing any fucking woman you want.” It was an unfair fight, Vervain had no doubt the knowledge, skill and training better than Edgren who wound up pinned under him in a matter of seconds. There was barely a clatter, save for Edgren's armor hitting the ground when he was slammed down.

“Oh for the love of-” Vervain pressed two fingers against Edgren’s right temple, I saw a soft glow surrounding his fingers before he pulled away.

“Your ex fiancée was already betrothed to the third prince as was the deal struck by her forefathers with the Vernal court centuries ago. They got greedy seeing as she was the first girl born with magic in over three centuries and the port is starting to decline thanks to your wonderful comrades. So they attempted to sell her off to your family instead of nurturing her talents hence, she ran.” Edgren looked a mix between angry and defeated.

“You Fae take every woman from us.”

“More like half the women that end up running away from your army, wind up in the courts to survive.” My head shifted between the two of them.

“We're looking for the princess.” His chest was heaving.

“Your princess is alive.” Edgren jerked his eyes to me and I saw fear before Vervain shielded me from view.

“Rán has noble blood, yes. But she is not going with you to wind up as a puppet or fodder like the rest.” I reached for Vervain’s sleeve, he pulled away only to grasp my fingers in his.

“Who is she?”

“She is right here and needs rest.” I felt a little soothed by him not telling about me and my apparent bloodline. There was a snort from Edgren.

“Your prick doesn't count as proper rest.” He hissed, I flushed at the response, so he heard that. Vervain rubbed his thumb over my knuckles.

“Out, pest.” Vervain turned sideways and dropped my hand, reaching for my left and kissed the mole on my left ring finger. He let go and grabbed Edgren by his collar who let out a string of curses as he was dragged out the door. Vervain shut the door after shoving Edgren out. He stood there, breathing slowly.

I knocked on the nightstand to draw his attention.

“Was it, wise to let him know I was…” I lowered my hands. Vervain sniffed the air and walked towards me.

“Forgive me.” He ripped the sheet away and shoved my skirt up, my leg, the one that had been bitten had thick cotton bandages wrapped around my upper thigh, redness was seeping yet I felt no pain. Vervain rolled up his sleeves and filled a bowl of water that he heated up quickly, steam wisping in the air in seconds. Magic popped on my tongue like spicy peppers. He washed his hands, pulling a pair of shears, needle and thread and a thick roll of bandages out.

“The area was injected with a mild poison that numbs your skin, it's been injected every morning and night.” He sliced the bandages free and I felt a little queasy at the stitches, did the troll have a double set of teeth? My gaze traveled down the rest of my leg, finding a lightning shaped scar that curled toward my heel but stopped among the stitching.

“Of all the elements that had to take a liking to you.” Vervain was careful as he removed the bit of stitching that had torn, he cleaned a flat bit of metal and soon the tip was glowing red hot.

I flinched when he pressed it inside the bleeding wound before making a slight incision a bit higher up, away from my main vein. He worked carefully and tied it in a surgeon's knot.

“Vervain?” He looked up after applying a sap-like substance on the wounds.

“How old are you?” He frowned, careful in wrapping my leg, making sure it wasn't too tight.

“I took my first breath when humanity had the first sentient thought, just like other concepts.” Concepts? My hands moved, spelling out the words.

“What are those?”

“Humans call them gods but we live and die with the civilizations we were born into, sometimes we get revived.” He chuckled.

“What was the last civilization you recall?” He seemed saddened.

“Humanity was reaching for the stars. With buildings and machines, the world was starting to die from greed.” I stared at him.

“Airplanes. We called them airplanes. And rockets.” He leaned back after fixing my skirt and blanket, smoothing them over my legs.

“That flag that they set in the moon, is still there. Along with those footprints.” I stilled before answering.

“It turned white from solar radiation.” Wasn't there a debate to replace it?

“You, miss home, don't you?” If what he was saying is true, this was home, just, the future instead of my time. He wiped my cheek, a shining drop slid down his thumb into his palm, glinting in the low light. He looked at my arms, looking at the pale scars.

“I, am sorry you had to be dragged into this, if I met you in your old life I would have kept you safe.” I leaned against him, grateful for the warmth he provided.

“It's not your fault.” I stared at him. He sighed and gave the tightest hug he could while I wept into his shirt. He worked his fingers through my hair, loosening the knots that had formed and carefully braided the thigh length waves. It eased my mind as he leaned back, pausing to nuzzle my temple.

“Rest, Rán. Give me your answer when I see you next.”