Leah wrapped Thielor's shirt around her and grabbed the candle. She slowly opened the door and paused as a growl and rustling sound arose nearby. She blinked and could barely see in the inky darkness. From a few yards away, a set of oval silver eyes peered back at her.
"Who's there?" she asked, panic filling her chest.
"I am back," said Tyothiel, rather snobbishly. "There is no need to panic."
Leah gripped her throat and exhaled, paying no heed to his tone. "Well, that was pretty fast!"
"Indeed," said the hunter. Reins clinked briefly, following several soft thuds to the ground. He had likely found supplies, and quite a few of them. "Is it true your people sleep at night?" he continued.
The girl shrugged and set the candle on the table. She sat down, tucking the long shirt beneath her. "For the most part. We often find ourselves staring at the night sky, if only to reflect on the past or contemplate the future. By the way, did you see Thielor?"
"No," he said, concern raising his tone. "Why?"
"He left earlier. I wish he had told me where he went."
The candlelight flickered brightly, and Leah could somewhat see in its amber glow. The hunter stood beside a dark-furred tiger, tying its harness to the hitching post. The tiger exposed its gleaming white fangs and sat back on its haunches. Tyothiel slung one bag over his shoulder, and grabbed two more, walking over to the table before setting them down. The candlelight bounced off his high cheekbones and gave his hair a darker sheen.
"Not to worry. He is probably at the river." He handed her a large, slightly torn knapsack. "I am sure you will welcome these even if they are not the best fit."
Leah glanced over many types of fabric spilling over the edge. She tilted her head in consideration. "Thanks."
The man nodded. She began sorting through everything he had found and it seemed he had little regard for a woman's tastes. The fabric was light and wearable, but very brilliant in color, ranging from bright orange to deep magenta. A white skirt stuffed within them also seemed to glow brilliantly.
They spent a few moments in silence. Tyothiel rummaged through the other bags, placing smaller wrapped parcels and covered jars on the table. He occasionally glanced at Leah as she stood and held a long skirt to her waist. She then lifted it higher. It could easily be worn as a plain, strapless dress.
"So tell me," she set the garment aside while reaching into the bag for another. "Did Thielor live here with you and your family?"
"This was his mother's home before we married." Tyothiel replied without looking at her. "Our – my home is outside the village."
"Oh. Well, her family chose the best spot. This forest is truly remarkable, unlike anything I have ever seen."
Tyothiel nodded. "My people fight diligently for its preservation."
"I can certainly understand why," Leah said cordially.
The hunter said nothing more. Leah was starting to feel uncomfortable with his silence and focused on the bag again. She pushed more skirts aside and reached a bundle stuffed in the bottom. The satiny fabric was similar to Thielor's dinner jacket. It was a shame she could not see well enough to see.
While she closed the bag, Tyothiel pulled a short-bow and quiver from his own, propping them against the bench. He stopped for a moment and looked over her with some regard. "Thielor should not have left you alone."
"He has a lot on his mind."
"Did he leave a weapon?"
She shook her head quietly.
Tyothiel blinked slowly, then withdrew a curved scabbard and set it on the table. As Leah glanced to it, she noticed its pearled hilt. A spot on her neck twinged.
"Take this," he casually offered.
Her shoulders tensed. "That isn't necessary."
"I insist. You should not be alone without some protection."
"Your concern is appreciated, Tyothiel," she said curtly, gathering her bag and stepping away. "but I have little need for weapons. The Light will protect me."
She cleared her throat and began walking briskly toward the house. The hilt opened a floodgate of images, ones Leah could not shake from her mind.
"Wait," his voice stopped her as she got to the door. When she turned, Tyothiel had practically appeared in front of her. She nervously gripped the doorknob. "You have questions," he declared.
"Correction," Leah retorted. "You have questions for yourself."
With that, she opened the door, but Tyothiel firmly pushed it shut. Leah jerked backward and felt her heartbeat increasing as he stared down at her.
"You seek reason for what happened to you."
Pressure clamped her throat. She swallowed. "Would you not? If it happened to your wife..."
"That is hardly a comparison!" He shot back impatiently.
"Oh, right," Leah said shakily. "I forgot. She wasn't weak and feeble like my people. Well, not to stomp on your anthill, but that means nothing! Look what happened to her! The monster who attacked her could very well have-"
The hunter's cool eyes narrowed as he closed their distance.
"Quiet! You will not speak of her!"
Leah careened back until her neck cramped. Her vision suddenly blurred. Her knees began to wobble as she tried to steel herself against the door frame.
"Oh, save it!" she sobbed, letting the tears spill down her face. "You can't deny the possibilities? There are hundreds! I mean, you stay cloistered in this land, but it will never shield you from the world! You may be gifted with long life, but you're not invulnerable!"
Growling, the man turned and stormed away. Leah sighed. She would not deny there was more to this place than just an overwhelming sense of serenity. There was a strange feeling surrounding her. She dearly hoped nothing would ever spoil its awe and wonder.
She watched him slump down at the table and reach into the nearest bag. He withdrew a wineskin, drinking eagerly from it. Leah cleared her face and settled her breathing. The last thing she wanted was to insult someone she did not know. After a moment of silence, she set the bag down and moved beside him. He sat still, his eyes focused straight ahead. Despite sitting, he rose to just above eye level to her.
"Tyothiel, I'm so sorry. I meant no disrespect," she sniffled.
The man shrugged and took another drink. "You are upset. It's only natural," he told her.
"Well, anybody would be."
He nodded. "You certainly live up to your disposition."
"What does that mean?"
"Thielor said you have quite the mouth on you."
Leah flushed. He seemed to be joking, but in all honesty, she could not tell. A lone tear spilled down her cheek. With a strained laugh, she held her stomach and sat beside him. "I am going to kill him! What else did he say?"
"He said you were stubborn, cheeky, and even a little naïve," said Tyothiel with a smirk.
Leah rolled her eyes. "How touching."
The hunter then looked to her, the smirk shifting to a half-smile. "Don't misunderstand. He also speaks quite well of you. He said you have given up a lot to come here. And I must admit, it is very admirable."
Her brow rose in consideration. As he was about to take a drink, she took his elbow, stopping him. "Hold up. I want to ask you something and I need your honest answer."
His lip furled briefly as he set the vessel down. "Go on."
"Does your son's friendship with me make you uncomfortable?"
He scoffed. "Friendship? Oh, my dear girl. There is little need to hide your feelings for him."
Leah glanced away. "You know then?"
"Of course."
"Well, in that case, you can answer my question."
The man only took a deep breath, running a finger along the skin's opening. Leah almost dreaded his reply. No one had to tell her they were quite different. Thielor had lived far longer, had a variety of experiences, while her life had barely begun. He had spent three centuries in this forest and probably knew every tree, blade of grass, every stream and lake. In the six years living in Stormwind City, Leah still had trouble getting around the Trade District.
Tyothiel looked to her briefly, his eyes blank. But then, the bushes nearby rustled. They both turned. Leah reached for the dagger should something or someone attack them. Some part of her hoped it was Ardros. The hunter seemed to keep a rather calm demeanor, but Leah knew Tyothiel would rip Ardros to shreds.
Instead, Thielor emerged from the brush, much to her relief. A pole and bundle of freshly caught fish glimmered in the torchlight as he carried them in one hand. The fresh water odor crept into her nose. With a satisfactory grin, he approached them.
"Look at this. I have never caught so much sunfish!" Thielor said cheerily and hung them on a nearby tree limb.
The tiger raised its nostrils, sniffing the air. Thielor patted its huge head and stood beside her.
"Great! We have plenty of food then!" said Leah.
The young hunter looked between them rather warily. "I hope I haven't interrupted anything."
"Not at all," Tyothiel said.
"No, of course not," Leah shook her head. "We were just wondering where you went."
Thielor glanced over the table, then his father. He briefly narrowed his eyes and headed toward the house.
Later that afternoon, Leah stood in front of the mirror, fatigue weighting her eyelids. She had slept very little, especially earlier that morning when Thielor joined her. While he slipped beneath the covers, he would scoot closer and press against her back, causing her to jerk away from him. After that, he would toss over and exhale softly. Leah knew he was only trying to make her feel more secure and safe, but having him near her as such made her feel odd.
Sighing, she hoped that would pass.
After sorting through the clothes, she managed put together something better to wear, tugging a long, blue skirt over her bust. For added warmth, she layered a white one beneath it. Tyothiel did not seem interested in getting his cloak back, so Leah wrapped it around her shoulders as well. He and Thielor had also found her boots not far from the house. It was astounding that they were not turned into an animal's chew toy.
Several days seemed to blend into one. Thielor remained in the back yard most of the time. It often felt like he had disappeared, if not only within himself since he had barely spoken to either of them. Any time Leah saw him, he was either working on arrows or skinning game. Even if he had seen the dagger, he did not stay around long enough to discuss it.
They finally gathered around a crackling fire and cooking rack one late eve. Thielor had done most of the cooking for them every other day. As he dusted spices over a large frying pan, three large cuts of pink fish sizzled over the heat. Leah sat beside him on the log and inhaled the savory aroma.
"Mmm. That smells great."
"It should," boasted his father. "He learned from the best."
Leah smiled briefly, but Thielor ignored them and turned the fillets over with a fork. She glanced up at his father. Raising her brow, she flicked her head aside. Tyothiel nodded stiffly and then left. When he got out of an earshot, Leah slid closer and softly took Thielor's shoulder.
"Thielor," she murmured. "We can talk if you need to."
He tensed and remained focused on the pan. After several minutes, the cuts of meat shrank slightly and were less translucent, speckled herbs and spices blending with them. Without looking, he shoved a boat-like, ceramic dish in her hand.
"Hold this," he said. "Careful. It will get hot."
Leah held its edges. After many times helping her mother at mealtime, Leah knew not to hold a hot dish by the bottom.
Her stomach growled furiously as Thielor began placing the fillets on it. When finished, he dropped the fork in the skillet and set it aside. They both stood, and for the moment, Thielor refused to look at her, giving her an odd feeling. As he moved behind her, Leah shook her head. She knew something was wrong. Had she said something wrong, or moved away from him too quickly the other day? She fought her emotions and began hurrying away.
"Leah."
His soft tone paused her stride. She glanced back and suddenly their gazes locked. Sparks flourished in her chest. Smiling hesitantly, Thielor slid his fingers through her hair. She felt him lean and kiss her temple. Her knees weakened, her wrists wobbled. Leah nearly dropped the dish then and there, but she held on.
He dipped beneath her jaw. Leah closed her eyes, letting her head tilt as he lingered there. She hated denying his affection lately. With his father nearby and everything that had happened, growing slightly apart was inevitable.
"Leah," he purred in her ear. "I'm sorry if I've been distant, but..."
She smiled, skimming her teeth over her bottom lip. His hand snapped to her waist, and next she knew, her back was pressed firm against him. For once, she did not pull away and let out a deep, longing sigh.
"It's not your fault," she said. "I never wanted us to drift apart."
Thielor took the dish and set it down. He spun her until she was facing him, his bare chest heaving with steady, deep breaths.
"Just kiss me," he hissed.
In a split second, their lips met and opened, his mouth twisting with hers. She held him tight and moaned softly as his chest bulged against her exposed shoulders. For a brief moment, she considered giving what they both needed.
Her stomach suddenly turned. Memories surfaced that she couldn't disperse. Even though he had done nothing to harm her, she broke away. His eyes were blank as she looked at him.
"I-I can't," Leah stammered as she stepped back.
The hunter gave a short nod. "I understand."
Leah sighed. Deep down, she knew he couldn't really understand. She wished for them to be close, like they were many days ago, but for now, she just needed time.
Taking the dish, she headed back to the house, fighting the lump in her throat. Tyothiel stood nearby and watched her stumble toward him, nearly twisting her ankle on the way. With a sniffle, Leah set the dish on the table, its contents shifting slightly. She looked up at Tyothiel, catching his concerned stare but she stepped away and went inside. Pushing herself, her ankles gave out as she slumped over the bed. Blurred vision, her pounding heartbeat shut out the world.
"I can't let this destroy us. I won't!" she affirmed out loud. "Light give me strength!"