iv. and waste it on fixing all the problems that you made in your own head.
He holds the lantern out in front of him and he's thankful he had enough presence of mind to bring it. The light is minimal but bright enough for him to see directly in his path. He tries not to shiver underneath the cool wind or from the strange sounds that inhabit the dark forest. The trees seems to loom over him as though they're watching his every move and Peeta wonders what exactly lives here among the rich greenery and rolling hills. He clutches his cross bow tightly as he walks, hoping he doesn't have to actually use it. Peeta keeps his pace brisk and for a second he contemplates turning back but he knows he has to find the truth for himself and prove himself that he is not a coward.
He hears a rustling behind him, causing the lantern to nearly slip from his grasp as he spins around. Although the crossbow does drop to the ground, the clatter echos around him and he grimaces. Perhaps he isn't a skill hunter but just some fool who is about to get himself mauled by a wild animal. His hand shakes as he surveys the area around him, bringing the light in a full circle. When he makes it back to where he was initially facing he jumps back as the light lands on a startling pair of grey eyes.
She lets out a soft laugh as he attempts to gain his composure, and the sound sends a strange shiver to run down his body. "What are you doing here, boy?"
Peeta swallows as he forces himself to break their gaze. "You shouldn't be here by yourself, maiden. There's many dangerous things that lurk here in the dark forest."
She tilts her head to the side. "Are you some great hunter?"
Peeta can't help but laugh at the notion. "Oh Lord, no!" He bends down to retrieve his bow, but keeps his eyes on her. To describe her as beautiful would be an understatement he thought as he took in her sharp features and delicate bone structure. He can tell even beneath her heavy cloak that her build is petite, and it worries him for such a lovely creature to be alone in such a dangerous place. Peeta stands back up, his eyes lingering on her lips until raising them up to her eyes again. "I'm just a baker."
She reaches up to push a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "What is a baker doing in the forest at this time of night?" He watches as her expression turns grim. "Are you here to kill yourself a wolf?"
Peeta has to push the memory of the girl from earlier out of his mind. "No. I thought I saw someone by the tree line and I wanted to warn them about the animal attacks we've been having."
She narrowed her eyes. "Then why venture so far into the woods?"
He shrugs. "I really have no idea. I just couldn't stop."
Her expression softens. "Perhaps it was destiny for you to be here?"
Peeta shakes his head. "Destiny is only something that happens in fables and to men who are worthy of it. I'm only a simple baker's boy."
The girl steps forward until they're only a breath apart. "There's a difference between baker's boys and then boys who bake. It's not all that you are."
He has to remind himself to breath as she leans in and ever so softly brushes her lips against his. Peeta stands there dumbfounded as the pressure of her mouth causes his pulse to race. She pulls back just enough enabling him to speak. "Then what am I, mysterious maiden?"
She looks up into his eyes and he can feel a rush of warmth pool below his waist as her lashes tickle his skin. His senses are already "Let me show you." He's powerless to stop her as she reaches for his lantern and sets it down. He even attempts to speak as she begins to undress and finally stands in front of him bare and glorious as the sparse light glows against her skin. It feels as though the air around him begins to warm and an electricity surges through his body as she gently undresses him and they stand nude before each other. He surprises himself when he leans in to kiss her first and unlike the chaste kiss from before this one is passionate and fevered. Peeta wraps his arms around her and lowers their bodies to the ground. He's far too caught up in the feel of her body against his that he doesn't notice when her eyes begin to glow.