She awoke several hours later, sitting up and clutching her head.
She looked up at him, then up at the sky. "Ou-ou-outside?" she breathed in surprise.
"We're running away," he told her. "They're going to kill every mage in the tower because of what happened. I couldn't let that happen."
"Y-you saved me," she said, matter-of-factly.
"No," he said, "you saved me."
She smiled, that beautiful, perfect smile that he loved so much. It tugged at his heart.
It was rough going, but they found their way to the Korcari wilds. There, he built them a basic shelter. It was hard work, but it felt good to swing an axe instead of a sword. To build something, rather than tearing it down.
To protect, instead of imprison.
"Y-you're working so hard, I thought you might like some water," said a familiar voice behind him.
"Thank you, beautiful," he told the woman he loved more than life itself.
Her stutter had decreased as she'd gotten more comfortable around him, though it was still there. He was pleased, oddly, that she was becoming confident enough around him to speak more comfortably.
He took the drink and then noticed the look she was giving him. That look like she wanted to devour him.
He grinned wolfishly at her, and she shrieked and ran in pretend terror. He chased her and captured her, careful to break their fall with his powerful arms.