When they finally stopped to camp for the night, Leo was exhausted. She had to struggle to stay standing, but she didn’t want to be a burden on Carsein. So as he set up the tent, she decided to make herself useful by gathering some stones and wood to make a bonfire. They were lucky the landscape in which they travelled had an abundance of groves and forests.

She gathered some things she believed were dry enough to use and began placing the stones in a circle as Carsein finished with the tent.

He nodded acknowledging her efforts and started lighting the fire. She spread out a blanket on the ground for them to sit and plopped down, giving in to the exhaustion. As she watched Carsein work she was suddenly reminded of what he did when they were escaping Wargdon. Heat rose to her cheeks and she hoped the dimming light would hide their obvious red color. She understood why he’d kissed her; it wasn’t anything romantic. He’d done it to make them look inconspicuous; two lovers who’d withdrawn to somewhere secluded to be affectionate with each other, rather than two people hiding from the law in a dark alley.

Still, the experience had left an impression on her. She thought she never wanted to receive a kiss ever again, convinced she would hate the feeling as she had before. But his had been so warm and gentle. So different from the rough kisses she’d received from Arwin or the smothering feeling of the man who attacked her at the inn.

Thinking about it almost made her lips tingle again.

When he finished lighting the fire he rummaged through the bags. They had luckily bought a small stock of dried foods in town the day before, so even though they had to flee in a hurry they wouldn’t starve. Sitting alongside each other to eat, they stared silently into the flames.

“Carsein? Could you teach me sword fighting?” her voice suddenly broke the silence. Carsein glanced at her arching an eyebrow.

“You know…sword fighting is hard work, princess… Even tougher for women. It requires both strength and stamina as well as a lot of time and patience… And looking at you it’s…”

“I know that!” she interrupted him, her cheeks heating with shame and anger at the fact that he underestimated her. “I’m aware that it would be really hard for me to learn. But Carsein, I feel so weak and useless. Everything scares me because I know I can’t fight it. What do I do when I’m no longer with you? How do I protect myself then?”

Her eyes glimmered with tears from frustration and Carsein stared at her silently for a long moment. Then he sighed.

“I suppose you’re right. I can’t always be there to protect you…” His words stung a little. Though it had been less than five days since they escaped the mansion, she had already grown oddly accustomed to his presence. She depended on him and it was a great comfort to have him near. So the thought of them having to part one day made her uneasy. Maybe even sad… She collected herself, focusing on the goal she’d set for herself.

“Will you teach me then?”

He grumbled a little but nodded and a broad smile split her cheeks. But he halted her cheerfulness before it took proper hold by waving his hand in a dismissive gesture.

“I won’t teach you right away, however. We need to build up your strength and your stamina first. That’ll also be a test of your tenacity. If you can’t handle the initial training, then forget about holding a sword.”

She pouted her lips but nodded. “Fine, I’ll show you!”

Carsein chuckled and Leo spun her head at him. The sight of his face dimly lit up in the firelight, his cheeks crinkled in a smile revealing a dimple in his right cheek, surprised her. It was the first time, as far as she remembered, that he’d shown her a genuine smile. Usually his furrowed brows and serious demeanor made him look like he was at least three ten-years old, but his current expression made Leo think he might actually be closer to her age.

“Very well, princess. Looking forward to it” he grinned.

They ate the rest of their meal, making light conversation. Despite the tumultuous day they’d had, a strange warmth floated between them making Leo both uneasy and comfortable. Too much had happened in too little time.

When darkness deepened around them, they sought shelter in the tent a light rain beginning to drizzle outside. Carsein had readied the bedrolls they’d bought in town already and the sight promised much welcome slumber. Yet, crawling into the narrow space she suddenly felt conscious of Carsein again. Three nights she had slept in his arms, finding comfort and safety in his embrace. But back then she hadn’t thought about him as a man. That had changed after his kiss.

Grateful for the darkness to hide her flushed cheeks, she slipped into her bedroll and a rustling sound next to her indicated that he’d gone to rest as well. She lay for a while listening to the night and Carsein’s breathing, but despite her swirling thoughts exhaustion and sleep soon claimed her.