Trent had an English riding suit for me to change into. It must have been leftover from Elasbeth. It fit me perfectly. I changed in a spare bedroom and stepped out to find Trent similarly dressed, waiting for me. Trent's eyes ran up and down from me.

"The suit is a good fit," he said before turning and heading towards the back entrance.

"Glad I could meet your approval," I muttered and followed him out.

We made our way to the stables and the smell of livestock hit me. Trent grabbed two horse bridals and I followed him to the stalls. We stopped at one and Tulpa stuck his nose out. Trent held his hand out to let the horse smell him and then stroked his nuzzle.

"Hey there," he said.

I stuck my hand out and watched as Tulpa's ears perked up at me scent. I grinned and scratched between his ears.

"Hey, any chance you'd let me ride him?" I asked.

Trent gave me a suspicious look. "I always ride Tulpa," he said.

Our conversation was interrupted by the sound of barking. Fear clinched at my gut. Oh god, it was the dogs. I jumped back and threw a protective circle up around me. "Rhombus," I shouted.

The dogs came barreling in through the stables and one was heading straight for me. He hit my circle in mid-leap and yelped when he connected. The dog fell to the floor and I stared at him with wide eyes. I watched as he stood up and shook his head. He gave me a quizzical look and then sat at Trent's feet, eyeing his master for some sort of approval. Trent was telling the other dog to heal. When both dogs were sitting Trent shot me an apologetic look.

"They weren't trying to attack you. They were just excited that we were going for a ride," he said.

"Well get them the hell away from me," I cried out.

"I'll lock them in the kennels," said Trent. He clapped his hands and the dogs followed him out of the stables.

I held my circle and tried to get my breathing under control. I saw Trent re-enter the stables alone. "Are they locked up?" I called out. Trent nodded. "Are you sure?" I asked again.

Trent came to the edge of my circle. "Rachel, please. Trust me. The dogs are locked up. No one is going to hurt you. We are just going for a ride," he said.

Part of me realized that I was acting like a scared little girl and I became embarrassed. "Well, what do you expect?" I huffed and dropped my circle.

Trent ran his hand through his hair. "You're remembering, that night, aren't you?" he asked.

"Of course I'm remembering that night. And the second time you tried to chase me down," I shot back. I reached out a grabbed one of the bridals from him. "Which horse am I riding?"

Trent clenched his jaw and motioned to a stall. "Charm," he said. "He's easy to ride, shouldn't give you any trouble."

I opened the stall door quickly and the horse's ears dropped back. "Hey, take it easy," said Trent. "He's tame but that doesn't mean he can't be startled." Trent came up beside me and put his hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off and took in a deep breath. He was right. It wasn't Charm's fault that I had been chased down like a fox and bespelled with wild elf magic.

I let Charm smell my hand and then offered him the bit. He took it and I grinned smugly at Trent. "I think I can manage this," I said.

Trent sighed. "Let me give you a leg up."

"I'm fine," I said through gritted teeth. I adjusted the stirrups and grabbed the back of the saddle. I felt Trent's hands wrap around my waist and leg and I was hoisted up into the saddle.

I glared at him but Trent had left my stall and started prepping Tulpa. A minute later we were both ready and looking out at the forest next to Trent's estate. I hadn't ridden very much since summer camp but I thought I would be alright.

Trent looked over at me. "Are you ready?" I nodded and tightened my grip on the reigns. He clicked his tongue and pressed his legs into Tulpa. They picked up a trot and Charm followed suit with almost no prodding from me.

We moved throughout the forest at an easy pace set by Trent. At some of the more scenic parts Trent would slow to a walk and I would gaze at the landscape. Parts of the forest were thick with brush and could only be traveled by path. Other parts of the forest seemed to hold nothing but trees that loomed over me, making me feel small.

After half an hour we came to a stream and Trent stopped. "Wanna let them take a break?" he asked.

The horses didn't seem tired to me but I thought Trent would know better than me. "Sure," I said. We both dismounted and let our horses drink from the stream. I moved from foot to foot, trying to get some of the blood circulating better. Trench stretched his arms behind his back. He wore thick fabric but the movement still revealed some of the trim athletic frame beneath his riding suit. He caught me watching him and grinned.

"Are you having a good time," he asked, raising his eyebrows slightly.

I nodded and adjusted Charm's reigns so they wouldn't fall near his hooves. "Of course," I said. "Although I suspect you might have given me the tamest horse in your stable."

Trent turned his head. "And that's a bad thing? You have some natural talent but I wouldn't call you an experienced rider."

That sounded like a back-handed compliment if I had ever heard one. "No, tame is good." I hesitated. "But I think I could have handled a horse that was a little more… I don't know… exciting."

Trent gave me a hard look and I wondered what he was thinking. "That might be part of the problem, Rachel," he said. "You like things that are exciting."

Oh, now I saw where he was going with this. Trent continued. "You just looooove danger, don't you" he asked sarcastically.

I shot him a dirty look. "Look, I wasn't looking for trouble," I said. "I appreciate the choice you gave me with the bracelet, really. But trust me, I had a good reason for taking it off. Besides, I think you and I both know it would have come off sooner or later."

Trent nodded. "So, was Al happy to have his student back?" His voice was back to being light and his eyes were focused on Tulpa.

I slumped. "I don't know," I groaned. "He was somewhere between murderous and delighted."

Trent stepped closer towards me. "When he thought you were dead…" Trent started and then stopped. "The look in his eyes… Rachel, I think you should be careful about Al's intentions."

"Al's intentions?" I asked. "Or do you mean Al's affections?"

Trent flinched. "Yes, I think Al has an unhealthy interest in you," he said. "And I am concerned that he might have a chance considering he is the most dangerous creature I know and that seems to be a Rachel turn on."

His last comment infuriated me and I got up close to his face. "Hey, whoever I like is my own business." I waved my hands in frustration. "I can honestly say I've cared about every man I've ever dated. I'm not just looking for some thrill."

Trent snorted and I got even angrier. "What, you don't believe me?" I asked. "If I really was attracted to evil men then I'd probably be wrapping myself around you, you little arrogant, murdering, drug selling, cookie maker."

I expected Trent to get mad but he just smiled at me. "Well, technically you did wrap yourself around me," he said.

That was it. I was so mad I was going to punch him. I could feel heat radiating from my skin and I wondered if fumes might be visible. "Those were special circumstances," I said through gritted teeth.

Trent's eye closed slightly and he reached up to brush a strand of hair from my face. "Yes, they were," he said gently. The change in Trent's demeanor threw me off. "You were dead," he continued. "You put up a lot of resistance for kissing me considering it was necessary to bring you back to life." Trent was now standing inches away from me, talking softly near my ear. His voice was so musical. I hated the effect it had on me. In seconds my feelings had reeled from outrage to anticipation.

Trent wrapped an arm around my back and I feebly tried to take a step back. "What would it take to get another kiss?" Trent whispered into me ear. He pulled me towards him and I pressed against his chest. I fit nicely there, I thought. I had turned my head away and buried it in his shoulder. I breathed in and closed my eyes as his scent hit me. He smelled so freaking good.

Trent brought a hand up to my chin and turned my face towards his. My lips found his and we kissed. Trent's hand ran along my back and drifted towards my backside. The man's own dossier had haunted my thoughts for years and I did a little exploring of my own.

Trent broke the kiss first and leaned back to look at me, keeping me wrapped possessively in his arms. The realization of the kiss struck me and I scowled at him. "That's playing dirty," I said. "What are you up to?"

Trent raised an eyebrow at me. "Playing dirty? Rachel, I have bribed you with money, protection and damned near everything else I could think of just to work for me. This," he paused, lifting by chin back up to him, "was just a kiss."

Trent leaned in and kissed me again. And I, stupid girl, went in for seconds. Hey, he was a good kisser. His tongue felt hot in my mouth and my entire body seemed to burn for him. He lifted me up and then fell to his knees. I fell back into the dried leaves of the forest bed and Trent followed. My fingers ran along his chest and I tore his neatly tucked shirt from his pants. Trent groaned and I slid my hand along his abs enjoying the feel of the rippled muscles beneath my fingers. I could feel the ley line energy in him and fought back the urge to reach out for it.

Trent broke our kiss again and gazed at me feverishly. "Rachel, let's go back to the house. I have another bracelet. If you are wearing it, Al won't be able to find you." His eyes darted around my face hopefully.

Oh shit Al, I thought. "This isn't a good idea," I said quickly, pushing against Trent to get him off me. Trent didn't budge and he furrowed his brow. "What do you mean, it isn't a good idea?" he asked. "Rachel, the man's a demon. You go back to the ever after, you might not come back."

"It isn't like that," I said. "I've worked out an agreement with Al. I'm allowed to come back as long as I'm chaperoned." As soon as I said the words it occurred to me how ridiculous they sounded. I had given up so much freedom, willingly.

"Chaperoned?" repeated Trent. "I'm not sure I can see you again if Al is always watching over you."

It was true. Al would have complete control over everything I did, over everyone I saw. Trent had protection against demons but Al had shown that he could make life very unpleasant for the elf. Then again, why should I trust Trent anymore than Al? If I accepted to wear the silver bracelet, I would have to go into hiding. I'd probably be reliant on whatever protection Trent could provide.

I pushed Trent off me and this time, he moved enough for me to sit up. I stood up, dusting the leaves from my hair and body. Trent did the same but I could tell from his brisk movements he was pissed. "Look, I've got this under control," I said.

Trent scoffed. "You really are unbelievable, you know that?" he said. "The decisions you make are completely irrational."

The anger in his voice made hit me. I think I had hurt him. Trent had finally opened up to someone and I had gone and crushed him.

"Trent, please understand," I begged.

"Oh, I understand everything perfectly. Let's go back to the house," he said. He turned and mounted Tulpa in a quick, easy motion. I was left on the ground looking up at him. I guess there wouldn't be any help getting on Charm this time.

Luffy fan: Thanks and bunny eared kisses to all. Do you think Trent and Rachel should have sex? It is about time for some sex.