A/N: I think the last chapter stunk, so I'll probably repost it sometimes. But I'm glad you guys think the story is going well. Thank to Wizard, Tessabe, and Moondance k'Treva for reviewing too.

Tessabe--When I was writing the last chapter, it didn't seem important to say exactly how Rothas and Lythe got cursed. But I might eventually write an interlude or one-shot about it one day.

This is important. I have about fourteen people on my author alert list, but over half of them have never reviewed a story. I would much rather have a review than be on someone's list, so please review. And, if you don't, I don't know which story to update.

X-X-X

For the next two weeks, Rothas and Lythe would meet by the rock every night, but they could only see each other for a few minutes before Rothas' curse took over.

In a way, Lythe wished she had never met Rothas, because every time she left him, it felt like she was being torn in two. But when they did talk, when they were together, she would have the best time she had had in a long time. Lythe wasn't sure if it was worth it to be torn in two for the contentment she had never had before in her life. But she never could not show up, not after what Rothas had told her one evening …

Rothas and Lythe were just sitting near the rock, looking at the lake—or at least Lythe was. She looked up to see what Rothas was doing and saw him staring intently at her. It was making her feel slightly uncomfortable.

"Yes?" Lythe asked quietly, breaking Rothas out of his spell. He immediately turned away, red-faced and embarrassed.

"Oh, sorry …" he said.

He was silent after that, but Lythe saw Rothas glancing at her every half minute or so.

What is wrong with him? she thought, but had a slight idea.

"Are you okay, Rothas?"

"Yes, but—I—ah—" Rothas quickly turned away and said it was nothing.

"I'm sure. What's wrong?"

"Well," he said and slowly turned around to face the lake, "it's not that there's something wrong, but … it just that—that …"

"That what?" Lythe asked, exasperated. He was acting like some boy who was too afraid to tell someone—

It can't be! she thought.

"It's just that"—he looked at her and didn't turn away, she was glad—"no one has ever made me … feel like I do now … with you …" Red-faced, he muttered something but she couldn't hear him. It didn't matter though. She knew what he meant.

And that she felt that way too.

It had been that night that had put the thoughts of stopping these little meetings out of her mind. That had been three days ago, and now Lythe was getting up from her spot where she and Rothas met. He had fallen asleep a few minutes ago, and she had been sitting here, thinking about that night.

I might as well leave now, she thought. Nothing else is going to happen here.

For the next fifteen minutes, Lythe walked thoughtlessly around the forest, not going anywhere, just walking. She had nothing else to do, and it was hours before she would have to go back in the cave she slept in.

But as Lythe walked, she started to notice some things. The animals, normally sleeping at this time, where all running in circles. It looked like that knew something was happening—something that Lythe couldn't tell what it was—and they didn't know where to go.

What's wrong with them …? Then a few deer shot past Lythe, nearly knocking her over as they bolted. They were running form something, but what? At least I know the direction.

Lythe started running in the direction the deer had come from, and didn't find anything suspicious. As far as she could tell, there were no people or animals to disturb them, so Lythe couldn't figure out what had scared the deer. Suddenly a gust of wind blew in the direction and right in her face. With it, came huge amounts of smoke.

Lythe started coughing as the smoke had filled her lungs before she knew what was happening. But now she knew what had scared the deer—a forest fire. Anyone who lived next to or in a forest knew how dangerous they were. It could destroy a forest with in minutes, depending on the size and weather. Luckily for Lythe, it had just rained, so much of the wood in the forest was wet, making it hard to catch fire. Unfortunately, it made much more smoke when it did catch fire.

I have to get out of here! Lythe thought desperately, and started running in the direction she came from. But then she remembered— Rothas! I have to save him! He'll be killed if he doesn't leave. Damn it! Lythe knew even if he was dying, Rothas would not wake up—she would have to go back for him.

Lythe ran even faster towards the lake, tripping occasionally, but that only made her go faster, thinking how a fire could do much worse to her. She got to Rothas and the lake in a few minutes, but it felt like her side was about to explode. Lythe knew she wasn't going anywhere in a hurry.

How can I save him if I can barely move? I can't even save myself!

While Lythe was gasping, trying to get her breath back, she turned around and tried to see exactly where the fire was coming from. What she saw was not what she expected.

The lake was huge, and for about twenty yards around it, there were no trees, but the grass was quite high as a result, reaching to her knees. The fire was nearly at the border where the trees stopped and the lake began.

She had to move.

Lythe ran towards Rothas, ignoring the pain in her side. Now she was running on adrenalin alone. Lythe tried to pick up Rothas but it was impossible, he was taller and more well-built than her. It made it impossible for her to pick him up. If he was awake and could cling around her neck, it might work, but not if he was asleep. Lythe then grabbed Rothas' arms and started running backwards. This, surprisingly, worked. Not very well, but it worked. In a short time, she was entering the forest. Lythe gave one sorrowful look at the lake, and walked in.

Lythe would have gone in the lake, but she couldn't swim. Somehow, she had always been too busy, and not living right next to water.

Lythe desperately dragged Rothas, silently apologizing for probably tearing up his back, being dragged across the ground. But she kept running, only trying to go away from the fire. Lythe kept running, but many times would stumble, or Rothas would have his foot caught. She ran and ran. And kept running, but soon it slowed to walking. Then Lythe collapsed on the ground, Rothas beside her. She could barely move, too weak. Rothas was in a cursed sleep. They were going to die. The fire started closing in around them, surrounding them on all sides.

Funny, I didn't know fire could travel that fast.

The fire got closer and closer … something was building up inside her … she could feel the heat … the force built up … the heat got more intense … something exploded inside her. Something—energy—escaped for her and exploded outwards.

There was light … and coolness … and then nothing …