Part 1

Sasha ran toward Henry, excitement and pure joy filled her at seeing him for the first time in months. Henry’s face said it all as he ran to meet her. He looked tired and a bit ragged from travel.

“Sasha!” Henry said, coming up fast on her and lifting her in the air with his arms and twirled her around. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, Henry.” Sasha nearly giggled with excitement.

He set her down after one spin and they embraced her tightly, holding each other with determination as if they would lose each other if they let go. Henry’s warm body next to hers caused her heart to race so she pulled back, resisting the urge to kiss him then and there.

“How- When did you get here?” Henry asked, confused but happy with her presence.

“Kyburn sent a letter to me and my grandmother. He wanted me to surprise you when you arrived in Xerixes. So… are you surprised?”

“Well of course I am. Pleasantly surprised.” Henry grinned. “Did you come alone?” his face turned to a slightly concerned frown.

“No. I traveled with a caravan headed to Xerixes. I wasn’t in any danger, I promise.” Sasha assured him. “So don’t worry about it.”

Henry couldn’t stop grinning at her, his eyes staring into hers. His brown clear gaze made her heart leap and skip, which made her blush once again.

“I’m so glad you are here,” Henry said, ignorant of her blush. “So much has happened these past few months.”

“As am I. I couldn’t wait to see you again.” Sasha said, trying to control her reddening cheeks, unsuccessfully. “My grandmother said to tell you that she misses you also and hopes you are doing well.”

“Ah. Well when you see her again, please tell her the same and that I am well.” Henry replied. “Now, where are you staying? I am quite tired and I smell awful. I’d like to clean up before we do anything but would you care to walk the city with me later this afternoon? Perhaps have lunch together?”

“Yes,” Sasha said immediately then shied back. “I mean. Yes, I would like that.”

Henry chuckled, bent down, and kissed her cheek. “I won’t be long. Can I meet you at your place after I clean off?”

“Of course. I’m staying in that inn right there.” Sasha pointed to a tall building sticking out from the rest of the houses. “I’ll be waiting for you.” she winked. “Room twenty-three.”

Henry visibly blushed which made Sasha laugh and smile. Unwilling to part, Sasha rushed into Henry for another hug, breathing in his scent. He smelt of sweat, which didn’t bother her but she also smelt blood on him and was instantly concerned. Looking down at his chest, she noticed a small bloodstain seeping through his shirt.

“Henry? Are you hurt?” Sasha looked up at him, worry written all over her face.

“It’s nothing. Just a scratch.” Henry brushed it off.

Sasha ignored his attempt to reassure her and pressed her hand to the wound, which made him wince. “Henry you are hurt. What happened?”

“Sasha, it’s fine, I promise.” Henry grabbed her hand and kissed it. “There was… an incident. But no one was seriously hurt.” he leaned down again and gently kissed her cheek, trying to distract her.

“Kyburn promised me these missions you were going on weren’t dangerous.” Sasha pursed her lips trying to focus on the matter at hand rather than the man that she loved kissing her. “Is what you’re doing dangerous Henry?”

“Well… yes.” Henry shrugged. “But don’t worry. I have Kyburn training me and a bunch of soldiers are coming with us.”

“You’re leaving?” Sasha looked confused.

“Uh…” Henry paused, thinking of a way out of the hole he was digging himself. “I’m going with king Erik and Kyburn to Kligira.” he winced in anticipation of her objections.

“Kligira!” Sasha raised her voice in shock.

“Shh- shush.” Henry put his fingers to her lips. “No one is supposed to know.”

“You’re lying to me.” Sasha pulled back from him. Everything was going sideways. Their reunion was quickly darkened by the news. She stepped back from him and Henry’s face frowned at her and he looked hurt.

“Sasha… I” Henry started but stopped, at a loss for words. “I have to go with them. They are depending on me.”

“Why you?” Sasha complained. “Can’t someone else go in your stead?”

“No,” Henry said blankly, his eyes flickered, unsure how to feel.

She noticed the change in his eyes and look, which worried her deeply. He had changed somehow in the short amount of time they had been apart. Unable to pinpoint what she was actually seeing in him, Sasha grew more concerned for him.

“Something happened to you, didn’t it?” Sasha asked, genuinely concerned.

“I’m fine. Just… leave it alone.” Henry said coldly.

“Why are you acting this way? You would always tell me the truth.” Sasha pleaded. “Why are you lying to me?”

Henry looked angry, his nose, flaring, but it disappeared an instant later. “I don’t want to talk about it,” he admitted.

“Okay,” Sasha said, defeated. She wanted to cry all the sudden, her emotions started to boil up and threatened to overcome her. She couldn’t help but feel betrayed somehow, that he wouldn’t tell her what was wrong. A twinge of pain tugged at her heart and she hated the feeling.

“I’ll-I’ll come by your inn after I clean up. We can talk more, then.” Henry suggested.

“Okay.” Sasha turned away from him, a tear falling from her face. She didn’t want him to see her like this and headed straight for her room.

Henry called after her once but she ignored him, unwilling to speak to him at this point. She wanted to know what had changed in him but her emotions were blocking her from thinking logically and she thought she might be overreacting and being dramatic so she wanted to go home, cool off, and think without him there.

She rushed up to her room and flopped down on her bed, unsure why they had argued. It was barely an argument but it was something they never did unless Henry wanted to run off and leave her again, which he did often as of late.

Part 2

Henry looked after Sasha retreating, her red hair bounced up and down as she quickly left him on the stair to the palace. He was angry and confused at her reaction, Sasha was being completely unreasonable.

Anger, pain, and fear gripped his insides, making him feel strange. He had never felt this way before, a sickening feeling came over him, one that refused to go away. The thought of Sasha being angry with him and knowing that he hurt her by not telling her weighed on him.

“What am I supposed to do?” he thought. “I killed a man. She’ll hate me. She wouldn’t understand why I had to do it.”

“Excuse me young, sir.” a voice called from behind.

Henry turned to see Cassius, gazing at him with an enormous grin on his slender face. “Why was he here?” he thought.

“I couldn’t help but overhear the argument you just had with that nice young woman.” Cassius tilted his head. “Perhaps I might give you some advice if you’d allow my input.”

Henry looked back at him with a confused and skeptical face. This man was a strange one, the way he walked and talked, how his body shifted slightly every time he spoke, it was unnerving. But he couldn’t help the curiosity that ebbed its way up, wanting to know what he had to say.

“You do remember me don’t you, Henry?” Cassius said, his voice almost sounded musical.

“Yes. I remember you. Cassius wasn’t it?” Henry said. “What advice?” he got straight to the point.

“Ah. I like it, straight to the matter at hand.” he continued to smile. “I will tell you something I wish my father had told me, growing up. It’s quite simple really and honestly the best remedy to a woman’s heart.”

Henry raised an eyebrow in doubt. “Sure.”

“Oh, you don’t believe me? Well, listen to this very carefully my dear boy.” Cassius looked excited to reveal his secret to him. “Be honest with her,” he said flatly.

“That’s it?” Henry cocked his head back, unsure if he was serious.

“That’s it.” Cassius shrugged. “Believe it or not, Henry, a woman desires a man that is always honest with her. A man that confides in her, provides for her, and isn’t afraid to ask for help.”

“Help? I don’t need help.” Henry said confidently. “I’m fine. She is the one that needs help.”

“Is she now?” Cassius raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “Then why are you the one being torn apart from the inside?”

Henry squinted his eyes in suspicion. “You don’t know me.”

“Ah but I do Henry.” Cassius sighed. “You killed your first man, and it's eating you alive. You can’t shake it, can you? Unable to cope with the fact you took a human life.”

“Shut up.” Henry clenched his jaw, anger rising. “It was self-defense. It was me or him and I chose me.”

“That explains things more clearly.” Cassius seemed to sympathize. “Your innocence has been taken away but not by choice. A result of this harsh world we live in I’m afraid.”

“How did you know?” Henry asked, his curiosity taking over his anger.

“Your eyes, Henry,” Cassius stated. “Your eyes have darkened. Less… shiny.”

“You’re crazy. You know that right?” Henry shook his head.

“Ah-ha!” Cassius chimed. “Well of course I am. But it doesn’t mean I’m wrong. Think about it.”

He turned from Henry and started walking away in his long flowing robes. He looked frail but he held an air of… power about him. Something that Henry couldn’t explain.

“Wait,” Henry called after him. “What do I say to her?” giving in and admitting he was right about him.

He smiled happily back at him. “You are not a bad man. You killed someone but you regret it, obviously. If she loves you and you speak the truth and share what you are struggling with, then she will understand.”

With that he walked away this time, leaving Henry alone to ponder what he had to say. The strange man was right. He had been battling all these emotions and guilt inside, shoving it down and trying to suppress it but he couldn’t do that with Sasha. He had to tell her the truth even if it ruined their relationship. At this point, Henry was afraid by not telling her that she would push him away regardless.

Breathing in deeply several times, he strode down toward her inn, forgetting that he still smelled of blood and sweat. He was focused on one thing, making it right with the woman he loved.

Part 3

Henry searched for Sasha’s room, remembering the number she had given him, twenty-three. Walking up to the door, he hesitated, unsure of what to do or say. His heart started to race, then he knocked, waiting for her to respond.

The door opened to Sasha standing in front of him, beautiful as ever. Her red hair and green eyes grabbed his attention every time.

“Henry.” she looked surprised. “You’re still dirty.” stating the obvious.

He looked down at himself, uncomfortable, patting at his sides and bits of dried blood on his rib. “Right, I kind of forgot.” he shrugged.

Sasha nearly chuckled, but he could tell she was still upset with him. “Well come on in. You can have a bath in here.”

Henry’s face flushed and turned bright red.

“It’s in a separate room, silly.” Sasha rolled her eyes.

“Okay. Sure, that would be nice,” he confessed.

Sasha left the door open, and disappeared into another room, which he guessed was where the bath was. He heard water running as he stepped inside and glanced to his right to see her filling up the bath.

“Thank you,” he whispered but he doubted she heard him over the running water.

“This place has running water!” her tone completely changed. “I can’t believe it. It’s like our well back home but in every room. Here, look at this.”

Henry approached her and watched as she pushed up and down on the lever as water poured from the faucet. “That is genius,” he responded, his curiosity overtaking him.

“I know.” Sasha smiled. “It makes washing clothes easy too. Wouldn’t have to walk to and from the well each time.”

He chuckled, “Saves my back from the trips.” he said.

They both laughed at that, then Sasha pointed in the corner of the room. “Put your clothes in that basket and hand them out to me. I’ll wash them while you are bathing.”

“You don’t have to do all this, Sasha,” Henry said, feeling uncomfortable with her doing everything for him.

“It’s fine, Henry. I want to.” she smiled. “We can talk afterward.”

She left the room but turned before closing the door behind her. “There’s soap right there too.” she pointed next to the tube.

“Thank you.” Henry nodded.

After fifteen minutes of washing and scrubbing, Henry finished his bath and waited for Sasha to dry his clothes. He grabbed a towel and poked his head out the door to see Sasha hanging his wet clothes in the window, drying in the sun.

“Oh. You’re finished.” Sasha glanced over as she clipped his shirt to a wire sticking out of the inn. “It’ll take at least an hour for them to dry.”

Henry was embarrassed to come out so he stayed behind the door. “I think I have some pants in my bag over there.” he pointed. “Can you get them for me?”

“Mhm,” Sasha mumbled. She reached in and was startled, pulling out a shirt that was caked in dry blood. “Henry?” she looked at him, scared and confused.

He cursed under his breath. He had forgotten to throw those away. It was the shirt he wore when the bandits attacked. “Uhhh. Don’t worry about that, I can explain. Just-Just hand me my pants... please?”

“Why is there so much blood? Is this your’s?” Sasha asked him as she brought the bag to him.

“It’s complicated,” Henry murmured, unsure what to say. He had hoped to get dressed and sit down with her before talking with her. “No, it’s not mine.”

Henry grabbed the bag from her hands and closed the door. He could hear her pacing outside as he dressed himself but didn’t have a shirt, which would make it a bit awkward. Checking his rib, he saw it was nearly sealed but would leave a scar as it was just deep enough to do so. He hoped Sasha wouldn’t notice it but he highly doubted that.

“Henry please tell me what’s going on,” Sasha said as he entered the room. Her gaze shot downward then back up, a moment later back down again. She blushed slightly but her mood wouldn’t have her give up on the issue. “Why is your shirt covered in blood? And what happened to your rib?” pointing to his minor wound.

Henry breathed in deeply, remembering Cassius’s advice. “We were attacked on our way here by bandits,” Henry stated plainly. “I fought two of them. It isn’t my blood on that shirt... it's theirs.”

“There.” he thought. “He said it.” His mind raced, hoping her reaction wasn’t too extreme.

“What happened to them?” Sasha asked, clearly knowing the answer but insisted on hearing it from his own mouth.

“I defended myself.” Henry needed to explain it to her, willing her to understand. “I killed one and Kyburn saved me from the second. If I hadn't fought back, they would have killed me. I had to.”

Sasha’s green eyes pooled with tears, walked up to him and nestled into his shoulder. “Henry. I’m so sorry. That must have been terrifying. I’m sorry I pushed you to tell me. I should've given you space and you tell me in your own time.”

“It’s… alright, Sasha,” Henry said, slightly confused by her reaction. For some odd reason, Henry expected her to change her opinion of him and even perhaps hate him but the exact opposite was occurring. He should have known she would’ve understood and given him the benefit of the doubt. “You’re not angry with me?”

“Angry with you? Why on earth would I be angry, Henry.” Sasha looked up at him. “You could have died. I’m relieved you fought for your life. No one would have expected any less from you.”

“Right. Sorry.” Henry shook his head, wrapping his arms around her. “I just… don’t know how people will react knowing I’ve killed a man.”

“Don’t worry about that. Are you alright?” Sasha asked. “Really… alright. If you need to speak with someone about it, I will always be here for you. As will Kyburn I’m sure.”

“Thank you.” Henry contemplated. “I… I think alright. I’m not entirely sure, to be honest.”

“That’s okay,” Sasha said with a soft and loving tone. Her touch and soothing voice relieved part of his anxiety. “Whenever you’re ready to speak about it. I’m so sorry I pushed you before,” she repeated.

“No. I understand your concern. I would have wanted to know if it were you, coming home with a shirt caked in blood.” Henry sighed. “I want to be upfront with you Sasha, but sometimes… I can’t. Sometimes I need time to think things through and keep it to myself. Not in spite of you, nothing against you, but rather I’m unsure how to say or admit certain things.”

Sasha pulled away slightly, getting a good look at his blank face, staring into nothing. She placed a gentle hand on his cheek, brushing back bits of his unkempt hair from his face. Henry looked into her brilliant green eyes and lost himself in her mesmerizing beauty.

“I love you,” Henry said softly but firm enough to emphasize his seriousness. “When all this is over and I come back to Zulin... I want to marry you.”

Sasha pulled further back from him, shock written all over her face, utterly speechless.

A sense of panic rose in him, instantly regretting his words. The look on her stunned face brought pure dread racing through his body, wishing he could take it back.

“Do...do you want that?” Henry gulped, feeling as if he was digging his own grave.

Her face remained shocked and for several moments, Henry’s heart sunk further into unrest before she answered. The tips of her lips slowly curved into a smile, so pure and true, the look told Henry everything he needed to know.

“I would like that,” Sasha said softly. Her voice low and calm but he could tell her heart was racing a mile a minute, as was his.

Henry’s dread and panic turned into pure joy. He grinned stupidly at her then pulled her in for another warm embrace, holding her tight. His emotions had run loops around him, bringing him to a slight sweat but he quickly was overcome by the sense of gleeful bliss.

“I love you too,” she whispered in his ear.