What the perverted old man Vis said was right. Tia was the cream of the crop. The following day – two days before the party every boy in town had asked to date her. While she appreciated their attention she found it to be annoying too. Ur was sure to watch her carefully while she spoke to the boys, as if protecting her from a monster rather than a human. As she stood outside the castle gates chatting with Heath, the spirit found himself getting riled.

"You know I'm probably going to be the best offer you will get…besides I don't have anyone else to ask." Tia knew he hadn't meant it to be a rude comment but she could hear Ur grumbling beside her ear.

"What about Miss Lauca?" She suggested.

"Ahaha…" He chuckled silently to himself. "I… would prefer it if you would go with me…"

"I…" She sensed Ur was angry behind her. As she spun around to see him she could see the electricity begin to charge around his body. "I have to go somewhere!" She turned and ran as fast as she could.

"Sorry Tia…" Ur mumbled shyly as she ran back to her cottage.

"Ur…what was that for?"

"I feel protective of you…" He replied a little coldly.

"Ur…" She smiled and sighed at the same time. "Is there something you're not telling me?" She tilted her head.

"I want to talk to you alone…on Sunny Hill." She made sure to seal the book so the other spirits could not interrupt.

"Is something wrong?"

"I…we trust each other right?" Tia had never seen Ur shy before, usually he was very blunt about what he was preaching.

"Yes…"

"What about if I trusted you with a secret?"

"What kind of secret?"

"A love one…" Again his voice trailed, as if being blown away by the gentle breeze.

"Of course I can!" She smiled gleefully.

"I...have strange feelings around you." He tried to look her in her eyes, but with no sight it was difficult. "I think I love you…" he waited for a laugh or some kind of reply. When none came he added. "I guess I'm asking if you…like me too."

"Ur of course I do!" She exploded with a joy he was not expecting. "But…"

"But?"

"I thought humans and spirits could not be with each other…"

"It has never been tried before." He replied in his usual 'Mr Know it all' voice. "I need some books…"

"What for?"

"I just need them for something."

"I need to talk to Sylphy; you can look through some of Mayor Georg's books."

"Thank you."

She hadn't managed to get back out of her cottage when she returned home to get some food. The boys were flooding in, one after another to ask if she had made her decision. Eventually, she screamed and all of the boys left her in peace. When they had gone she had broken down. Tears flooded down her cheeks like a waterfall. Sensing her sadness Ur appeared before her.

"Tia…" He didn't say anything more. He just sat beside her on the cramped little bed holding her head close to his chest.

"We need to see Sylphy now!" She sobbed.

"Of course…" With that she ran from the house, he following closely behind although nobody else could see him.

"Tia…is everything ok?" Mayor Georg and Sylphy asked.

"I need to get the boys off my back…" She sobbed. She watched as Ur; now back to his usual small self browsed through the books lining the walls.

"You mean pair them up with someone else?" The mayor questioned.

"Please…" She rubbed her eyes.

"I'll take Duran if he's up for grabs." Sylphy chanted proudly. Her father looked at her inquisitively. "What?"

"Nothing, nothing…" Mayor Georg mumbled something about his daughter seeing the good in humans. "Who else?"

"Nanai and Anwar." Ur suggested as he continued to browse the books.

"Nanai and Anwar?" Tia offered.

"Hm… what about Mr Rex?" Georg questioned.

"Fana." Tia replied quickly.

"What's that forest kid called?" Sylphy asked.

"Miss Lauca?" Tia tilted her head.

"Her and Heath!"

Meanwhile, Ur had found the book he was looking for in the shelf. He called Tia over and asked her to code scan it for him to read later.

"Thank you Tia." He smiled gratefully.

"Thank you Sylphy, thank you Mayor Georg."

"Of course."

Back at the house, Ur was intent on reading his book and keeping a close and careful watch on Tia as she shuffled under her sheets. He rubbed his fingers over each page of the book, absorbing the words almost. He could then identify them using his minds eye. As Tia's rustling became louder and she began to murmur Ur realised she was having a nightmare!

"Ur!" She sprang up in fright throwing the cover off with her.

"Are you ok?!" He gasped.

"Oh…it was just a dream…"
"What were you dreaming of?"

"Dreaming of fighting monsters with nothing but a rusted sword. The others…they were not there when I called them. Then when you appeared…the monster attacked you and the ran at me…" Her chest was rising and falling rapidly.

"It's ok, it was just a dream. I'm watching you. I promise." He waited for her to settle again before continuing reading the book.

Hey! You can see what he's reading about next chapter. Thanks to the one or two people who have added this to their fav stories.

Can I have a review though? Sorry to sound desperate but I like to know what people think so I can improve my writing. Reviewers get cookies! EvilWaffles xx