I struggled awake to find myself sitting on Solar's back. Still dizzy I lifted my head only to bump the back of it against something.

"So you're finally awake huh?" Someone said and I turned my head, finding a man not much older than me sitting behind me. Holding the reins in one hand I noticed his other arm wrapped around my waist. "I'm Dack and who might you be, beautiful?"

"I'm Mina. Now that we have the introductions out of the way...what are you doing with me and my horse?" I asked, lifting a hand to rub my forehead. When my fingers came away bloody I stared.

"I'm not stealing you if that's what you think. Not that that isn't tempting." Dack replied as Solar trotted through the forest. I winced, more from pain than his failed attempt at flirting, and he sighed. "Truthfully I was taking you to get medical attention. Your head is bleeding and I don't know how to treat it."

"My town is to the south if that helps." I replied, trying not to stare at his right arm. I barely glanced at it but Dack must have seen me staring because he gave me a tiny smile. "You're a thief, aren't you?" I asked, forgetting all about my pain.

"I prefer to call myself a liberator of rare artifacts." Dack replied, his smile growing when I snorted. "I could have just left you in the forest you know." He added and I sighed, giving him a slight frown.

"I won't report you if you bring me safely to my village, with all my valuables intact. Quickly." I answered and he nodded, tugging on the reins. Which caused my horse to break into a canter and I gripped my head, every jolt making my headache worse.

"You did say you wanted to get home fast." Dack pointed out as I groaned, eyes shut against the pain. "It's only a scratch."

"Doesn't mean it doesn't hurt." I complained as Solar panted, running towards the outskirts of the forest. True to his world, Dack brought Solar and I safely to my home. He climbed down from Solar's back offering his hand which I ignored.

Two seconds later I wished I hadn't, nearly tumbling to the ground when I leapt down. This time I felt Dack's hand on mine and I didn't resist, allowing him to help me up and into my house.

"Feeling better?" Dack asked as I rubbed my forehead, trying not to scratch at the bandage. Finding my medical supplies I cleaned and dressed the scratch on my forehead, while Dack watched.

"Yes, thank you. I...appreciate the help you gave me. By the way what were you doing in the forest anyway?" I asked and he turned his head, looking at the ceiling. "You were going to rob us?!" I growled, eyes wide as he just shrugged.

"I was considering it, yes." Dack answered, chuckling when I climbed to my feet. "But I saved you so maybe that's all the reward I needed."

"If that were true you wouldn't have my purse on you." I shot back, pointing to his pocket. Not even looking the least bit guilty, Dack removed my purse from his left pocket. "Huh stealing from an injured and unconscious woman. Pretty pathetic."

"I was going to give this back but now..." Dack said, eyes on mine as he dangled the purse up above his head. With a growl I launched myself at him and he laughed, stepping back as I snatched at the purse.

"Give that back!" I snapped, making another grab and he grinned. "This isn't funny, thief!"

"Until you apologize I'm not giving this back." Dack teased, holding the purse close to his chest. I stared at him, my mint-colored eyes narrowed.

"Not going to happen." I snapped, moving so fast he didn't have time to escape. "That's mine!" In a heartbeat I knocked Dack off his feet, both of us ending on the floor in a tangle of limbs. Shocked, Dack just stared at me as I made another grab for my purse. This time I succeded, gripping the purse tightly and just out of reach. "Told you I'd get it back. Without having to apologize for you saving me." I grinned, not expecting Dack to laugh.

"First time a woman's gotten the best of me. You aren't just a pretty face, Mina." Dack told me, untangling himself before he straightened. "Truce?"

"Truce." I agreed, taking his offered hand. I was barely standing when I tripped over my own feet, stumbling into Dack. Dack opened his mouth, about to ask if I was alright, when our mouths met. Sharing an accidental kiss wasn't the best way to introduce myself. Neither was my best friend, Carole who just happened to be looking for me and walked past at the exact same time.