Author's Note:
In this chapter, things heat up even more between Ashe and Nadi. Also, none other than the infamous Raeger himself makes his first appearance.

I'm also really having fun with this. It's just so entertaining to envision the characters reacting to (or initiating) scandalous situations.

Enjoy!

Chapter Two

Bed and Breakfast

Nadi's room at the inn was humble in size, with just enough room for a bed, a weakly glowing lamp, a vanity, and a small desk. The only true decoration, a vase filled with a beautiful assortment of flowers, gave the space a lovely fragrance. I moved towards the middle of the room, unsure of myself. I was exhausted and dizzy, but I also felt a certain kind of nervousness. It didn't make any sense—I barely knew this boy, after all—but the connection I felt with him was undeniable.

I just wasn't sure if he felt the same.

Nadi was busy opening his windows, allowing for the night air to fill the room. His hair, once soaking wet from the lake, had nearly dried completely. The strands shifted softly in the breeze—how could I not stare? Such an unearthly color against that dark skin…it was enchanting.

I sat on his bed, a rush of dizziness coursing through me. The bed was wonderfully soft, but I was hesitant to just lie down and sleep. How could I banish him to the hard floor? He had saved me, kept me from spending a night alone in the wilderness. I shivered.

"I appreciate everything you've done for me, Nadi," I began, waiting for him to turn. What would I do if he said no? And what had gotten into me? "And I don't mind if we share your bed. So if you don't mind…" I drifted off, too self-conscious to finish my sentence. It wasn't a big deal, right? It's not like anything would happen. Just two near-strangers, sharing a bed.

Dizziness hit me again, causing me to sway back onto his pillows. "It's not a big deal," I murmured, closing my eyes. The soft bedding felt amazing. "It's really not."

Silence.

Then the room darkened. I opened my eyes—only the soft light of the moon illuminated the space. I looked over at Nadi, blushing when I saw that he was untying his shirt. He had been shirtless almost the entire time we were in the forest, yet this felt more intimate.

Nadi slid into bed next to me, suddenly closer than I imagined he'd be. If I so much as turned, I'd be touching him. I tested the space, slowly stretching my arm out in a fake stretch. Sure enough, my hand grazed the bare skin of his chest, and I quickly drew it back.

He looked over at me, smirking. It was the first time I had seen him do so. "What? You said it's no big deal, right?"

"You're right. It's not," I retorted, turning to face him. He was so near that I could hear him breathing. I tried fighting the dizziness, the exhaustion—I had to see him smile again, after all—but it was nearly impossible to do so. The night breeze skimmed across the room, brushing against me. Everything was so soothing, from the silky sheets to the smiling boy laying next to me. I wasn't sure what tomorrow would bring, but I wasn't anxious about any of it.

The last thing I remembered before falling asleep were Nadi's unusual red eyes, glowing in the light of the moon.

When Nadi woke the next morning, he was confused. Dark hair, porcelain skin, an arm laying over his chest…

"W-what in the—" he quickly sat up, causing the arm to slide down over his hips. When he finally remembered the night's events, his face felt hot. Ashe, the stranger from the woods, was curled up next to him. She was still breathing deeply, undisturbed by his sudden movements. Nadi moved her hand from his hip, placing it securely onto his bed. He could barely believe it. In the middle of sleep, their bodies had found one another.

Nadi swallowed, his throat feeling very dry. He barely knew this girl, yet she made him feel so vulnerable.

He stood up, walking quietly across his room. He'd go talk to the doctor and the owner of the inn. He'd take some responsibility, rather than crawl back in bed with her like part of him so desperately wanted.

When I woke, sunlight was pouring through the windows and Nadi was gone. Embarrassment poured over me—what had I been thinking? I wanted to sink into the blankets and disappear. Surely he thought that I was out of my mind. I practically forced him to sleep with me, after all.

I sat up, tensing for the expected dizziness, but nothing happened. My head felt clear. Good. I felt completely fine—rumble—except for the fact that I was absolutely going to starve if I didn't eat soon.

But what to do? I walked over to Nadi's vanity, quickly inspecting my appearance. My hair didn't look nearly as terrifying as I thought it would, and my eyes looked bright and alert.

Time to take on the town.

And possibly steal a bit of food.

Just so I wouldn't die, of course.

Much to my surprise, the inn was empty when I walked through it. I pushed through the main entrance, finding that the streets were similarly quiet. Where was everyone? In the brightness of the day, the town had a quality, comfortable feel to it. Trees lined cobblestone paths, flower baskets hung from freshly painted buildings…but not a single soul in sight.

Then a whiff of something magical touched my nose.

"Food," I whispered, following the scent. It was a rich combination of things—spicy seasoning, the sweetness of baked pastries, a hint of refreshing lemon—I nearly cried in anticipation. And what sort of saint was making all of it?

My nose led me to a building near the edge of town. Outside, underneath wide umbrellas, tables sat shaded from the sun. A restaurant, then. The owner would definitely let me wash dishes in exchange for a meal, right?

I pushed the door open, nearly sighing in relief when the aromas hit me. If the air alone was this delicious, I could hardly wait for what the food would taste like. I walked towards the counter, glancing around at the empty tables. Was no one here, either? Not even a cook? Behind the counter, an arrangement of fruit and breakfast sandwiches made for a mouth-watering picture. Without thinking, I reached for a sandwich topped with egg and bits of bacon.

"Why, this certainly is a funny way to meet a new customer."

I jumped, the glorious breakfast creation dropping towards the tiled floor.

A boy wearing a waiter's uniform rounded a corner, having come down from the upper level. He was grinning, his vivid green eyes sparkling. Glossy auburn hair fell neatly over his handsome features. What was it with boys in this town? "You could have asked, you know. That's usually how these things go—restaurants, that is."

I straightened my dress, aiming for some semblance of composure. Definitely not the best first impression—although I wasn't on the best track record, considering the previous night. "I-I'm sorry," I stumbled over my words, which didn't exactly boost my confidence. "They just looked so delicious, and no one was here—I mean, I wasn't trying to steal them or anything. I would have washed some dishes for you, or—"

"Ah, so that's how it is," the boy said, interrupting me. He looked thoughtful, placing a hand underneath his chin. "Well, if you don't have any money, I suppose there's one thing you could do to make up for it. We'll first start with introductions, though. I'm Raeger, the owner of this restaurant."

"I'm Ashe. Nadi found me last night near the lake. I don't remember much else," I said, shrugging my shoulders. It was a strange feeling, not having any memories, but it wasn't something I could dwell on. Food, on the other hand… "I really am sorry about this. I'm just so hungry."

"Well, Ashe, it's a pleasure to meet you," Raeger said, smiling warmly at me. He most definitely was handsome. "I really hope you'll consider staying in Oak Tree Town. I'd love to see you around at the restaurant."

I smiled back, dying a little inside. Was he this sweet towards every girl?

"As for what you can do to repay me for a meal—"

My smile wavered a bit. It was a bit humiliating nearly groveling like this. If only I had some sort of funds—

"A kiss, I think, will do."