Jane and Gunther dared not speak a word during their tense ride for fear of what may be lurking in the darkness. They only prayed that they would make it to Knollgrave with no other issues. It was the safest option now. They agreed that staying in the clearing was no longer viable. If there were other Chalonreaux soldiers around waiting for their comrades' return, the first place they would come looking for them would be the camp. Before leaving, Gunther had taken one of their coats with the Chalonreaux emblem as proof of their treachery.

Their prayers were answered for they rode into Knollgrave before midnight.

Exhausted, they dismounted at the first inn they saw. Jane offered to stay with the horses while Gunther went in to inquire about lodging. A few moments later, Gunther returned.

"The innkeeper said we may keep our horses in the stable around back."

After ensuring the horses were tethered and taken care of for the night, they grabbed their packs and shuffled into the inn. With each step, Jane's entire body felt leaden as she forced herself up a flight of stairs. Her exhaustion threatened to overwhelm her as Gunther turned to the right at the top of the stairs and led them down a short hallway, to the last door at the end of the hall.

Even in her fatigued state, it did not escape Jane's notice that he showed them to a single room. The knot slowly forming in her stomach grew and contorted when she stepped inside.

One bed.

Jane's eyes swiveled to Gunther, trying not to show the panic she felt inside.

He shrugged and closed the door behind them. Crossing over to the window, he dropped his pack on a chair and lit a candle on the desk next to it. He then began taking off his armor. Jane, realizing how sore and hot she was in hers, made to do the same. With the cumbersome weight of the metal off her body, Jane regained some of her usual vigor. However, her eyelids still felt heavy on her own eyes.

Gunther began shrugging out of his tunic, leaving only a thin, white undershirt. Jane averted her eyes, trying ever so hard not to blush. The thin fabric and light color left little to the imagination. Jane could see the hard lines and muscles on the flesh underneath. He sat down on the bed, the wood creaking and bending under his weight and yanked his boots off.

"Well, are you just going to stand there all night or what?" he demanded. Fire heated her cheeks. "I don't know about you, but I for one cannot wait to finally get some sleep."

She cleared her throat, "Gunther," and waited for him to catch on.

"What?"

She gestured to the bed. "It's…there's only…"

"One bed?" He finished, his lips threatening to reveal an annoying grin. "Look, this was the only room left. It's our only choice."

"Well we don't both have to sleep on it," she insinuated.

"If you want to maintain your virginal modesty for the sake of a point, be my guest. I am not sleeping on a hard wood floor when there's a perfectly fine bed right here." He patted the mattress.

Jane groaned and weighed her options. Sleeping on hard wood planks would be much worse than a forest floor. At least the woods had soft earth, grass, and occasional pine needles to soften the ground. It would be a miserable night sleep. However, the thought of her and Gunther not only sharing a room but a bed, did horrid things to her stomach.

Finally, she lost the argument with herself. The assignment was more important than her propriety. They should be as well rested as possible for whatever else they may face on the journey.

She let out a long-suffering sigh. "Fine."

She stomped over to the chair, moving Gunther's pack to the floor none-too-gently. Taking the pack's place on the chair, she tugged off her boots and pulled off her own tunic. She still wore her brown binding vest over her cream undershirt. The vest kept her womanly chest secure and out of the way during all manner of knightly duties. Jane unlaced it and removed it, rotating her now unburdened shoulders. Now only in her cream undershirt and trousers, Jane felt much more comfortable for bed. She took an extra moment to remove her leather hair tie. A sigh escaped her lips as she ruffled her fingers through her hair to free her fiery strands and gently massage her scalp.

Turning around, she froze at Gunther's expression. His mouth hung open as he looked her over from her bare feet to exposed, sleeveless arms and shoulders, to unbound mane.

"Never seen a female before?" Jane snapped.

Gunther shook himself. "Why Jane, until this moment I forgot you were, in fact, a female," he teased, grinning wickedly.

Jane glowered at him as she made her way to the bed. Gunther still sat in the middle of the mattress. Jane gestured impatiently for him to move over so she could get in.

Snickering, Gunther moved to the far side of the bed and stretched out, pulling the covers over his legs and waist. With heart hammering, Jane lowered herself to the bed. She made sure to sleep as far away from Gunther as possible without falling off the edge of the bed.

"Goodnight Jane." Gunther's low, warm voice washed over her like dragon fire. Equally uncomfortable and exhilarating.

She willed herself to calm down enough to reply, "Goodnight Gunther."

Jane worried she would not sleep in such a state, but the long journey and earlier battle took care of that. She fell sound asleep in minutes.

Jane was incredibly warm and cozy. This fuzzy feeling reminded her of the times she camped out in Dragon's cave and his tail would wrap around her protectively while he slept. It is a powerful thing to feel loved and cherished by someone who isn't your kin. Someone who chooses to love and protect you, place you above themself. That was the happy feeling she experienced now.

With eyes still closed to the world, Jane's forehead wrinkled in confusion. Dragon wasn't with her now so who…?

The events of the previous evening snapped into focus with utmost clarity. Jane's eyes flew open and her heart sped up at the sight before her.

Jane was snuggled gingerly against Gunther's chest. She had one fist buried in his shirt material, holding him close while his arm draped over her waist, hand clasping a tangled mass of her dense curls.

Jane's rousing must have woken Gunther, for Jane felt him stir and then his body tensed, comprehension dawning. Suddenly she was gazing into the depths of twin silver pools. If the eyes were the window to the soul, then Gunther's soul was a quiet yet powerful storm in that moment. The intensity smoldering behind his eyes made Jane want to blush, though she did not know why. Her stomach flutterings returned once again, as it was wont to do since Gunther's return. She seemed to have no control over her body's reactions to him.

Was it just her or was his face getting closer…?

A rumble downstairs in the tavern shattered the trance Jane found herself in. She cleared her throat and pulled back. Gunther, following her lead, disentangled himself from her inviting embrace. His hand in her hair behind her back lingered a second longer than the rest of him as he moved away. Jane immediately jumped out of bed and turned her back on the attractive man still looking at her funny.

Now across the room with some distance between them, Jane grabbed her pack with her clean clothes. It was a shame she wouldn't have time to bath before they left the inn. There was a small screen in the corner for such an occasion, but Jane would have to use it to change, instead of taking a long hot bath like she wished. She cast one final glance over her shoulder to see Gunther climbing out of bed and reaching for his pack on the ground for his own clothes. Comforted knowing he would be occupied with his own morning routine, Jane stripped and changed into a fresh set of undergarments, breeches, and tunic, but not before lacing up her binding vest once more. She stuffed her soiled garments back into her bag and peeked her head around the screen. Her breath caught in her throat. Gunther had his back to her while he laced up his breeches. That's not what caused Jane's reaction, though. He had no shirt on, not even an undershirt. His bare back and arms were a sight to behold. His muscles looked as if they were sculpted from marble. His broad shoulders rippled with power and energy as he pulled a white undershirt on over his head. Gunther was beautiful. And mesmerizing. Her face heated at the perfection before her.

Jane quickly stepped out from the screen before he turned around. He absolutely did NOT need to know that she had been peeking like a wanton wench.

The pair finished donning their armor and collected their things. They were getting a late start, thanks to last night. Jane took comfort in the fact that at least they were starting their day in Knollgrave, several hours up the road from where they would have started at their camp in the woods. Gunther reached into his pack and took out a few coins.

"Here, why don't you purchase us breakfast somewhere in town while I finish up with the innkeeper and gather the horses." He pressed the coins into Jane's hand and left without waiting for her confirmation.

Downstairs out in the street, Jane looked around for some promising goods. She spied a baker's shop a little up the road. The smell of fresh baked bread and sweets wafted to her nose, beckoning her to come closer. A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she imagined the delectable treats awaiting her inside.

When she was finished in the bakery, Jane returned to the front of the inn, meeting Gunther leading the horses from the stable in the back. Jane handed him one of the two parcels in her hand. He immediately thrust his hand into its depths and pulled out a custard tart.

"Still warm," he commented appreciatively. He took one large bite that consumed half the pastry in one go. Jane pulled out hers and ate greedily as well. The sweet custard and buttery goodness of the pastry mingled on Jane's tongue in a heavenly manner. Gunther finished his seconds later and bit his lip to try and hide the genuine smile that crept up when he noticed a second pastry in his bag. Jane figured if Gunther were anywhere close to as hungry as she felt, one tart would not do. Their second items were cheese and onion pasties.

They walked through the streets of the village and only mounted their horses when they had finished their breakfast. Then, the journey began in earnest once more. They were supposed to make it to Nedershire this evening, although neither looked forward to breaking the unsavory news to the king and queen of Belgania. Jane and Gunther did not know how they would react to such news.

Traveling as a pair had its own sets of advantages and disadvantages. They were able to travel faster and cover more ground, but their smaller number also added greater risk to being jumped while on the road. A group of six armored knights were not to be trifled with, unless one had a death wish. Two knights, however, are another matter entirely.

Jane remained silent for most of the morning, distracted by the images plaguing her mind that she had shoved away in her exhaustion until now. Images of the men she killed. Crimson flowing out of flesh. Her steel sword slicing through limbs like bread. Faces contorted in fear. Her own horror reflected in their irises. The gruesome gurgling sound they made as they suffocated in their own blood.

"Jane?"

Gunther's voice dragged her out of her reverie.

"Yes, Gunther? What is it, did you hear something?" She whipped her head left to right for a sign of treachery.

"No, everything is alright." He reached over and tapped her shoulder. "But are you? Alright, I mean…"

"Oh." Jane tugged her hair, pulling on a single strand and twisting it around her finger. In their haste to continue their journey that morning, Jane left her hair loose and wild.

"Well, I…" She bit her lip. Should she confide in Gunther? It would be so like him to laugh in her face about her guilt over killing an enemy. Looking into his eyes, eyes that held concern and compassion, Jane took a steadying breath. She needed to get this off her chest and confess it to someone, anyone. It didn't matter who; her soul demanded this burden be relieved.

"I was lost in my thoughts." He gave her an encouraging half smile. "Yesterday's attack…It was the first time I've killed someone." She barely uttered that last words above a whisper.

He cursed under his breath. "Of course, I'm an idiot."

Jane, who was staring intently ahead, sharply focused her attention back to Gunther.

He rubbed a hand over his chin and stubble, eyes averted in guilt. It made no sense to Jane.

"I should have realized…" he began. "Do you wish to talk about it? It can help."

Jane's forehead wrinkled in confusion.

"I speak from my own experience," he explained. "The first time I…killed someone. I didn't sleep for three days. His face haunted me every time I closed my eyes."

Jane's eyes widened at Gunther's words. She expected him to brush her off, perhaps even poke fun at how impractical she was behaving.

"It only got better after I talked about it with someone. It was like an infected wound, slowly spreading to every part of me until I felt physically ill. Getting it off my chest was the best medicine to accepting it and moving on."

"Who did you talk to?" Jane wondered.

"At that time, I traveled in groups whenever I could for safety. There was an old man, a former soldier, who noticed my reticence. He recognized it as 'a man tortured by death' as he put it. He said it would take time to get used to it, the killing and death. But talking about it relieved some of the burden and guilt…and it did. So, if you want to talk, I'm here."

"I don't know if I could ever 'get used to' taking a life."

"Then don't worry about that now. Focus on what you can do right now."

Jane grabbed her hair and began twisting again, a bad habit her mother scolded her for since she was a child. "I remember all of it so clearly. The way my blade cut through their flesh so easily, their last looks frozen on their face forever, the cold dread that gripped my heart and has not let go since…" She shook her head as if it would help chase away the memories.

"You did what you had to do to survive and protect us all. We had no choice, you had no choice."

Jane inclined her head in agreement but said nothing in return.

Gunther sighed and leaned forward in his saddle, "As knights of the realm, the time for death will come again and again. The best we can do is regret the actions taken by our foes that lead them to the tip of our sword."

"And what of mercy? Compassion?" Jane's thoughts wandered back to Gunther's swift justice the day before, no hesitancy on his part.

"When possible, extend it. When not, do whatever is necessary to keep yourself safe," his eyes bore into Jane with vehemence.

"And what about the king? The country?"

He blinked. "Yes, of course. Do whatever is necessary to keep yourself and the kingdom safe."

"I understand the truth in your words, but accepting them will be another challenge."

"It will, but you don't have to face that challenge alone," he smiled. It was a genuine sort that reached his eyes and made him look even more handsome.

Jane's heartbeat sped up.

What is happening to me? Jane wondered.

Gunther got under her skin and knew how to irritate her in every possible way. And yet, here he was consoling her. His reappearance in her life left her confused and at a loss for how to proceed with him. Despite her insistence that he had not changed, Jane was wrong. She would admit that to herself at least. Gunther had changed, in more ways than Jane was just now beginning to understand. And how was she reacting to his change of attitude and even attention towards her? It was almost as if…

Impossible.

She stopped that line of thought immediately. She was not acting herself, Jane reasoned. She had been on edge since before her knighting ceremony and circumstances had kept it that way ever since. Naturally, she would be a little off balance considering their current situation. She needed to refocus on the mission. She mentally scolded herself for allowing any distractions to keep her from staying sharp and being her best.

Straightening her back in the saddle, Jane lifted her chin with determination. They would reach Nedershire by nightfall, deliver the king's message, and fulfill the mission. That was all that mattered.

Thank you so much for your patience! I appreciate each and every one of you!

P.S. I know the "OTP waking up together after being forced to share a bed" is a worn-out trope, but I adore it so I don't care! Enjoy!