Hit by a particularly vicious crosswind Morrigan dived down and settled on a tree branch ruffling her feathers. She had initially intended to ride with Jayden on Luna when they had left Orzammar, but Delilah was apparently not speaking to him over some foolish Chantry business so she did not think her presence would bother the noble. Morrigan had come to realise she enjoyed annoying the young woman, getting under her skin seemed as easy as the most basic spell. She was careful not to go too far not wanting to alienate Jayden, but she could not deny that it irked her when he spent time with Delilah or gave her attention and affection as she did not trust her. Alistair had actually had the gall to ask her if she had a thing for Jayden and her look of contempt was enough to have him leave her presence immediately. In truth she could see beneath the woman Delilah portrayed to the hard edge beneath. Of course, that hard edge was practical and the match was an excellent one for Delilah. An increase in status and power was something Morrigan understood well enough and had it concerned anyone else she would see it as logical and strategic, but this concerned her best friend, one of the very few she had and irrational as it was, Delilah stirred her more petty side like little else. It also stuck in her throat that he had stopped looking for ways out of his betrothal, now accepting it as inevitable and she assumed trying to persuade himself he was happy about it. She wished for their time in the Wilds again, before any glimpse of the Blight had snatched that simple and as she realised now, happy life from them.

So instead she had decided to scout ahead, but she did not find her usual peace in raven form, she had enough worries of her own to consider. Her mother could be watching, following, waiting to snatch her up, but that would be foolish given the reason she had been sent. She suspected her Mother would wait until the Archdemon was slain before attempting to claim her. Perhaps she believed the journey would make her stronger both in herself and in her magic, perhaps she would wait until the task she had given her was fulfilled in its entirety and then take her body for her own. She tried to still the chaos in her mind, to clearly think through the ways to escape her mother's clutches. Momentarily she thought about the child her Mother clearly wanted so badly, but the idea of abandoning the child to her Mother made her grow cold. Morrigan was irritated at her shiver of fear. You will not have me Mother, this I swear.

Drawn from her thoughts by the sound of voices Morrigan's sharp sight picked out several men on the road ahead in what appeared to be a poor attempt to hide. Fluttering onto a closer branch she counted eight all together, the young man behind the column the farthest away was a mage feeling the tingle of magic as a flurry of snow began. He was either skilled in building up storms to appear natural, or poor at creating them, but Morrigan saw no point in taking chances. The others appeared to be warriors, but there was nothing special in either their weapons or armour, in fact most looked in poor condition. Simple bandits perhaps, but whatever they were they were in their way. Heading back to the group she flew around them to alert them it was her and then transformed within the trees to avoid alarming the horses.

Rathnal halted the group looking at her in concern, seeing the snowfall start up ahead. "Problem?"

"A pathetic attempt at an ambush, however 'tis worth being cautious. I counted eight and one is a mage, the snow is his doing."

"As if we haven't had enough to deal with." Alistair muttered; glancing to Rinna as she nudged him.

"Come on Ali, let's have a little fun."

Her smile was so mischievous he couldn't help smiling. "Are you thinking helpless travellers?"

"Well it's only fair they believe they stand a chance." Faren grinned.

Snorting Sten clenched his fists eager to have these new fools out of their way.

Rathnal shook his head but smiled. "Let's not assume anything, they may appear easy to take down but appearances can be deceptive and we have no idea of their motives." He glanced at Theron. "I would appreciate your assistance if you feel up to it. I have seen few with your skill with a bow."

"You should see me pick a lock. I will head to higher ground and give you cover fire."

Glancing to Morrigan, Serris gave a mischievous smile. "Shall we deal with the mage?"

"T'would be a pleasure." The smirk enhancing the gleam in her eyes.

Rathnal glanced to Delilah. "Perhaps it would be sensible if you hold back until we determine who they are."

"I can fight."

"I am aware of that, however that is my decision."

"As you wish Warden Commander."

"Will stay with her." He caught Delilah's less than happy look. "I suggest you put aside your personal issues until we determine the extent of this threat."

Flushing Delilah simply nodded.

Jayden glanced back the way they had come. "We can head up to that ridge, it will have a good vantage point and there is enough coverage we will be concealed."

"Do it."

Delilah frowned but allowed Jayden to guide her further back taking the horses with them tying the reins to branches before heading to higher ground, Airyl darting ahead of them. "More bandits?"

"They could be simple bandits looking to make some easy coin, but something is off, not many common bandits have a mage with them." He turned sharply as Airyl growled as she sniffed the air, before she whimpered and collapsed to the ground. "Airyl!" Slipping in the snow he dropped to his knees beside her paling as he saw the dart. "Delilah it's a trap!" He got to his feet unsheathing his sword, hissing and clutching his neck at the sharp pain, seeing Delilah clutch her own neck before falling to her knees. Pulling out the dart he stumbled to her side, catching her as she collapsed unconscious. Feeling the world spin Jayden struggled to keep a hold on his sword, looking up at the elven man approaching them. "Who are you?" He snarled.

"My name is of no consequence, but my purpose, well I have a contract and you two are the lucky ones of your group, my employer wishes you both returned to Denerim, alive as it happens. The others however are not so lucky."

Jayden hissed as he felt another sharp pain, looking up at the elf with rage in his eyes, unable to move.

"My apologies for the headache you will have when you wake, it cannot be helped with two doses, but it seems your reputation for endurance is well founded." He smiled as Jayden collapsed unconscious. Signalling to the man who had fired the darts, two others appearing with him, he watched as they bound their captive's wrists behind them and then put them on horses. "Take them to the hunters hut, I will come for them once the rest are dealt with. Ride swiftly there will be a true storm before much longer your mage warned. If I cannot make it through the storm I will arrive tomorrow. Use more of the drug only if necessary, but be cautious, particularly of the Captain." He watched them leave before turning and slipping down the bank freeing the horses and sending them back towards Orzammar. He smirked at the sound of fighting ahead. "Now to the fun part."

xXx

Sweat dripping down her back, Rinna maintained her stance back to back with Rathnal feeling as though they had been fighting for an eternity. The shabby armour of those lying in wait for them turned out to be cleverly crafted to appear that way and the men were swift, strong and skilled, their skill set matching that of the group. This was an elite team with only one goal, their deaths. She hissed in pain as a blade slid across her arm, pulling back swiftly enough to avoid serious damage, but they were all tiring. The lightning and explosions of force magic that belonged to Morrigan and Serris were becoming less frequent, whoever their mage was, he was powerful to stand alone for so long against both women. She stared startled as an arrow tore through the throat of the man attacking her, glancing to the ridge, while she could not see Theron, she was glad of his presence. She caught Rathnal's signal as his own assailant hit the ground unmoving and they raced over to Faren and Alistair who had taken down another two of the men, though not without injury themselves. Sten was bleeding badly from his head and arm, though he seemed not to notice, wielding Asala as effortlessly as when the fight had first begun. Leliana was combatting two dual fighters, one hitting the ground with two arrows in his back, the dagger he was about to use on her falling uselessly to the ground. Gasping Leliana grabbed a lower tree branch which gave her enough elevation to drive her feet into her attackers chest sending him stumbling back. As he hit the ground, she leapt on him drawing her blade across his throat. Rinna turned at Alistair's warning shout, freezing as she saw her attacker. "Zev!"

Zevran felt his world tilt, Rinna was right in front of him; fate it seemed had brought them back together. He opened his mouth to speak, a gasp of pain leaving his lips as his skull seemed to explode. As he collapsed to his knees, his vision darkening, he saw Rinna put herself between him and the Qunari.

"Sten stop!" Rinna gasped. "I know him!" She turned to Rathnal as he approached, the others beginning to join them, the rest of Zevran's men dead.

"What in the Void Rinna!" Rathnal snapped, wiping blood and sweat from his face.

"Rath please, this is Zev."

"Who in the Void is Zev?" Alistair demanded as Rathnal paled.

"A Crow." Rathnal muttered.

"He was my partner." Swallowing Rinna met Rathnal's gaze seeing his thoughts as though he was speaking. "Please I just want to know why he is here, why he attacked us."

"Well that explains his men." Serris muttered beginning to heal the gash on Alistair's leg, Morrigan tending to a reluctant Sten. "That mage was probably the strongest apostate I have come up against. I am not sure I would have bested him if Morrigan and I were not working together."

Rathnal glanced up as Theron joined them, looking anxious. "What is it Theron?"

"I expected to see Will and Lady Delilah down here; I saw no sign of them on the ridge opposite mine."

A frown creasing his brow, Rathnal suddenly paled. "The fight was a damn distraction. Wake him up! Now!"

"I will do it." Rinna muttered grabbing a vial from her pack and putting it to Zevran's nose. She knew that look in Rathnal's eyes, he would travel the Fade itself to save his friend and harming Zevran to find out where he was, she doubted he would think twice.

Wrinkling his nose and groaning loudly Zevran slowly forced his eyes to open. "Rinna." He whispered. It was true, she was real and here. He felt a dull ache in his heart at her smile, before the Warden Commander was pulling her away.

Glancing to Rinna, Rathnal met her pleading look and forced himself to turn his attention to the assassin at his feet. There was no way he was going to let Rinna's former lover sense any weakness and he had to be careful about what he said if they were to discover Jayden and Delilah's fate. "You are alive only so long as you are useful." He stated coldly. "I know you are a Crow. You will tell me everything you know about the contract you were sent to fulfil."

"That is easy enough." Zevran offered a smile that clearly did not impress the Commander one bit. He let the smile fade and sat up slightly, raising an eyebrow at the blades that suddenly surrounded him. "Easy my friends, I cannot tell the Commander what he requires if I am dead." He turned his attention back to Rathnal. "I was brought here with the sole purpose of retrieving Lady Delilah Howe and Captain William. There was of course to be no witnesses." He glanced at Rinna. "Your appearance is different enough to fool most and I did not expect to find you in their number, you were a … surprise."

"Zev where are Will and Delilah?"

"I had some of the men take them to a hunters hut further up the mountain. They will wait until I get there, I could not afford to have either harmed in the fighting. That is why this had to be done now ... before you got any further."

"How in the Void did you capture them?" Alistair demanded.

"A sleeping potion delivered by dart. I did not take the Captain's reputation lightly, luckily as it turned out given it took two darts to stop him, such rage in his eyes." Zevran forced a chuckle to ease his own nerves, the Commander looked a heartbeat from killing him. "You need not fear, I gave instructions for them to be kept safe."

"You are going to take us to this hut." Rathnal snarled.

"As you wish, but it would seem the weather is against us." He nodded further up the mountain where the snow storm could be seen. "We would not make it."

Rathnal growled in frustration. "Then how do you know your men will?"

"They have horses and a head start. I am afraid I sent your horses back towards Orzammar. You did make it very easy for me Commander." Zevran purred. "Separating the two people I needed alive from the rest of the group."

"Who took out the contract?" Rathnal demanded, feeling dread twist his gut.

"A rather unpleasant fellow in the capital; Lady Delilah's father I believe. He seemed most eager to have her returned to him."

"He is proving to be quite the problem." Serris muttered. "Crows do not break their contracts and are usually discrete, why are you telling us this?"

"I was not paid for silence." Zevran smirked slightly.

"Was General Loghain aware of this contract?" Alistair asked cautiously, afraid of what it would mean if he was.

"I cannot say for certain, but I was never in his presence."

"We will have to wait out this storm then we will go to this hut and you better pray they are not hurt." Rathnal hesitated a moment. "What did you do with Airyl?"

"Ah the wolf. Sleeping only, a single dart was enough to incapacitate it."

"I will find her." Morrigan snarled.

Swallowing uneasily at the predatory look that chilled him to the bone, Zevran gestured with a nod towards the ridge. "You will find her up there." He paled as Morrigan took the form of a raven, Serris swiftly following after her on foot. There was much he had not been told; it would appear.

Rathnal frowned. "Go with them Ali, they will need help bringing her down. Then we better make our way back to Orzammar, let's hope we can find our horses."

Rinna swallowed painfully as Zevran's wrists were tied behind his back, Theron and Sten flanking him. Zevran of course was taking everything in his stride, but he had no idea how dangerous her fellow Wardens were and Sten looked ready to crush him at a moment's notice.

"Can you manage him?" Rathnal asked cautiously.

Theron glanced at Zevran. "Do not worry, I know many ways to incapacitate someone, should he feel the urge to flee."

Zevran withheld the smile through supreme will not wanting to antagonise them. He had no doubt Theron could incapacitate him and he had no intention of fleeing, but it had been some time since he had been in the company of such interesting and skilled companions.

xXx

Morrigan hissed out a curse as she transformed next to Airyl, quickly checking the wolf over. She turned to Serris as she dropped into the snow next to her. "She is sleeping only. Perhaps t'would be wise to allow her to wake naturally."

Feeling a rush of relief Serris nodded. "I agree, but we need to get her warmed up."

"Is she alright?" Alistair demanded catching up to them.

"Yes." Serris nodded. "Sleeping only, but lying in the snow isn't ideal. We need to get her back to the others."

With a grunt Alistair carefully lifted Airyl. "Damn she's heavier than she looks."

xXx

The horses finally retrieved, Rathnal had ordered them to set camp near Orzammar in the cave Faren, Alistair, Serris and Morrigan had camped in. He had considered seeking shelter from the storm in the Compound within the city, but he did not want to take Zevran and despite Rinna's reassurances he would not try to escape, he could not trust him. He had taken far too much satisfaction in tying Zevran to huge roots that crossed one wall of the cave, before he made his usual report to Fergus saying only the storm had delayed them from leaving. He didn't see the sense in telling them of Delilah and Jayden; after all there was nothing they could do. He glanced at Alistair as he walked past for possibly the hundredth time. "Makers sake Ali sit down you are making my head spin."

"How can I just sit here and do nothing while he is drugged and kidnapped and of course Lady Delilah too."

"We don't have a choice Ali; we would never find the damn hut in this storm. We just need to wait it out. He will be fine. Probably playing Wicked Grace with his damn captors."

Alistair hesitated and forced a smile. "He might at that." Sighing he sat, his foot tapping restlessly on the ground.

"I was thinking, we could make a stop at Gwaren after we find a Dalish clan. Theron said we are most likely to find them in the Brecilian Forest, at least until later in the year and it isn't that far."

"Truly?"

"We can't stay long, but long enough to see our families." He returned Alistair's smile. "I wish I could free you from this, but I can't. Giving you a little time to see your wife, that I can do." He returned Alistair's delighted smile.

"Thank you Rath, I mean it. It means everything to me."

"I wanted to be a Warden, I thought that was how I could best help defeat the Blight. I was so proud when Duncan chose me, but it's been a nightmare and most days I wish I had never heard of the Wardens."

"I know you think you shouldn't be Commander, but I disagree. You make the hard choices when they need making and …"

"Duncan would have kept the Anvil." Rathnal whispered.

"Then I'm glad you are the Commander." Alistair squirmed slightly at Rathnal's look of misery. "Look Rath I'm sorry I don't mean I wanted him to die or anything, but choosing the Anvil, well no good would ever have come from it."

"We are Wardens, we are supposed to do whatever it takes no matter the cost."

"We might have had to drink the blood of those soulless creatures." Alistair hissed. "But I am not giving up my soul because of it. We have to follow our conscience, or we are no better than the Darkspawn."

Smiling Rathnal nodded. "This isn't fair on you, but I really am glad you're with me." He glanced to Sten as the Qunari rose and filled a bowl of water. "That will be Airyl waking, Maker I hope he and Morrigan can keep her under control."

"He deserves his throat ripped out." Alistair muttered, his gaze locking on Airyl wondering how she would react.

Standing groggily Airyl took an uncertain step forward, shaking her head and whining softly.

"Easy." Sten stated kneeling down beside her, pushing a bowl of water towards her almost flinching at her look. "Drink, you go outside you will likely freeze in that storm."

Reluctantly Airyl drank until the bowl was empty, raising her head and sniffing the air, there was no scent of Jayden, but there was a scent she had picked up before the darkness. A low growl erupting from her throat, the grogginess lifting, she moved towards the scent, her muscles tensing, her teeth barring.

Swallowing uneasily Zevran tried to press himself as close to the wall as possible. A smile, compliment or humour would do nothing to dissuade this creature from ripping out his throat.

Glancing sharply to her right Airyl met Morrigan's piercing gaze as she knelt beside her, hesitating.

"While it would amuse me to watch you tear him apart you must restrain yourself; come the morning he will take us to Will."

Airyl turned back to Zevran, sat and tilted back her head, a blood curdling howl making everyone flinch and cover their ears. Zevran shrank back and closed his eyes; feeling her hot breath on his face he slowly opened his eyes, drawn into the blue eyes of the white wolf. At that moment he knew he had never experienced fear like it. His heart continued pounding brutally for some time after she moved away and joined Morrigan. Trembling slightly, he glanced up as Rinna knelt beside him.

"Airyl has a fiercely protective bond with Will, but as long as he is safe, she won't harm you."

"What is to stop him from ordering her to kill me?"

Faren smirked as he cleaned his blades. "Will would never do that; if he wants you dead, he will do it himself."

"Comforting."

Rinna sighed softly lowering her voice. "Why did you take this contract Zev, going up against Wardens …"

"Things changed when you left. I had to prove myself. Everyone believed I killed you both, it made me feared and hated." He met her softening gaze. "We do what we must to survive."

Rinna nodded thinking of her own decision to go to the Wardens for help. "Yes, we do. I never imagined seeing you again."

"Nor I you. You found a place with the Wardens then. Was it by consent or conscription?"

"Consent, I came to them for safety's sake, but yes, I have found a place with them." She met his searching gaze. "I have missed you."

"Of course, there are few as amazing as myself, but tell me, there is something between you and the Warden Commander, yes?"

Glancing to Rathnal, Rinna nodded. "We have given each other comfort in a dark time."

"Is it just comfort?" He sighed at her surprised look. "I suppose I have no right to ask such a thing."

"At first it was just comfort and he … he reminded me of you a little."

"And now?"

"I am not sure."

"I think he would like to see me dead."

"Well you did try to kill us."

"Business my dear Rinna, it was not personal."

"I understand that Zev, but he has not led our life, he does not see things the way we do and of course you kidnapped William."

Zevran looked at Rathnal thoughtfully. "Ah, they are special to each other."

"Not in that way, but they have a bond of friendship that was recently sorely tested and so he is more sensitive to any threats towards his friend."

"I assure you he will not be harmed."

"I hope not Zev, I will not let them harm you, but it will cost me dearly to intervene."

"Do not worry for me dear Rinna, I am perfectly capable of looking after myself. I can be very charming."

"You need to be useful Zev; charm will get you nowhere with Rath."

"I am sure I can be most useful."

Rinna sighed at his smug grin, but couldn't help smiling. "I am sure you will be."

xXx

A soft groan leaving her lips, Delilah slowly opened her eyes. She felt cold to the bone and realised the snow was falling thickly, her body tensing at the discomfort of being slung over a horse, her hands tied behind her back. She had no idea how long she had been unconscious but she doubted it had only been moments. She tried to discreetly look around her but recognised nothing of what she could see, snow and trees surrounding them. The horse was being led, an agitated voice demanding they hurry up. Heart pounding wildly, Delilah felt guilty about the rush of relief as the other horse was led closer to her and she saw Jayden, though he appeared to be unconscious. Forcing herself to relax, glad of the cloak over her, Delilah set to work undoing the knots of the rope tying her wrists, just as Jayden had taught her.

"Hurry up damn you!" Quin snarled. "We don't get paid if they freeze!"

"The horses are being bloody skittish with this weather." Eris snapped.

"It's not the weather." Tarin muttered glancing around fearfully.

"Shut up the pair of you!" Quin hissed. "I've had enough of your …" He hesitated as he heard a low growl. Scrambling back as a black shape loomed out of the snow.

Delilah froze at the terrible scream and the panic that followed, crying out in shock as the horse suddenly reared sending her slamming to the ground, hissing in pain as her thigh hit off a sharp rock. She scrambled to her feet her hands free, staring in horror as a huge creature tore out the throat of the horse she had been thrown from, dragging it off so fast it seemed a blur. She span around fear beating in her heart, seeing only two of the three men noting a trail of blood leading into the trees being covered by the snow fall. The two remaining men looked as terrified as she felt. She sucked in a sharp breath as the massive creature reappeared, it's russet fur and grey and black striping standing out in the snow. It moved so swiftly she could barely see as it took down one of the men dragging him away just as quickly, a terrified whimper leaving her lips as a slightly smaller creature grabbed the remaining man. She screamed as a hand covered her mouth and she was pulled backwards, her heart pounding until she realised she was with Jayden.

"Those are Red Lions." He whispered trying to ignore the brutal pounding of his head. "They are incredibly fast and we cannot outrun them if they catch our scent. The storm must have brought them down from the mountains, they aren't usually seen this low down."

"I heard those men talking of a hunter hut up ahead on the trail. Can we make it?"

"Follow me and be as quiet as you can."

Ignoring the pain of her leg she followed him as they crossed a small stream, sucking in a sharp breath at the icy water wondering if she would ever be warm again, struggling to get up the tree Jayden was urging her to climb she was shaking so badly, moving to a second and third while clinging precariously to the branches realising they were very close to a hut. Still they took what seemed to be a ridiculously long route, the weather becoming so bad they could barely see in front of them, but she said nothing until they were inside and the door was bolted.

"We should be safe here; it is sturdy enough to keep most predators outside should they find us, but hopefully we did enough for them to lose our scent, the storm is in our favour." He realised she was shivering painfully and gently pulled her into his arms realising how cold he was himself now they had stopped.

"You look in pain." Delilah stated in concern. "Are you injured?"

"Just a headache, probably courtesy of whatever they drugged us with. Nothing a little elfroot won't cure. You aren't feeling any ill effects, are you?" He felt relief as she shook her head. "I'll light a fire, get you warmed up."

"Is it safe to light a fire?"

"I don't think man or creature is going to see or smell the smoke in this weather and whoever those men were at least they provisioned the hut. We have everything we need to wait out this storm."

"What about the others?" Delilah whispered watching as he grimaced as he began chewing on the elfroot as he set about lighting a fire.

"Well I would imagine they made short work of whoever intended to ambush us and have found out whatever they can from them." Jayden forced a smile, while he believed his words were true, he was not so sure about the Antivan and while unconscious, Airyl had no way to defend herself and his heart was heavy with fear for her. He forced himself to concentrate on their present situation and moments later he had made a fire and drawn her closer to get the benefit of its heat. "We need to get out of these wet things, the last thing we need is to get sick." He passed Delilah a blanket and a long tunic he had rifled from the storeroom. "Just put everything over a chair to dry and leave your armour in the corner." Grabbing a pan Jayden headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Delilah demanded trying not to show her panic. "You cannot think to go out there!"

"We need water. There's plenty of snow we can melt, I will just be right outside." He smiled. "Change quickly you're soaking."

Delilah quickly got out of her armour and wet clothing, wincing at the large cut on her thigh. Pulling on the tunic and wrapping the blanket around herself she draped her clothes over the chair and settled near the fire. She couldn't help the rush of relief when he returned, nipping her lip and forcing herself not to look as he took off his armour and clothes putting them over a chair, flushing as she felt a surge of disappointment as he managed to find clothes for himself in the storage area.

"You're hurt."

"It happened when the horse reared."

Frowning Jayden went back to the storage area rooting through the bags before returning with a small jar of salve.

Delilah bit her lip hard as he gently cleaned the wound and applied the salve.

Glancing up Jayden winced. "Would you prefer to do this yourself?" Smiling slightly as she shook her head, he finished applying the salve and then stood. "I'll make us something to eat."

Glancing around her as he cooked and accepting the herbal tea, Delilah searched for something to talk about feeling foolish for having argued with him, but not yet ready to speak of it. "It is cosy I suppose."

Jayden chuckled softly. "It is. Outfit it with a bed, a bookshelf, full of books of course and I could be happy here."

Delilah raised an eyebrow. "You would be happy living in such simple accommodation?"

"Does that really surprise you?"

"I just ... I thought you might long for where you grew up."

"I'm a soldier, simple is my preference."

She gave him a slightly cheeky smile realising with some surprise he seemed to bear her no ill will for her anger with him. "So, is this your way of telling me our home will be like this?" Her smile widened at his laugh.

"I would hardly call my family home simple."

Delilah shifted slightly meeting his gaze. "It will be nice to live in Gwaren I think, though I never truly imagined living there."

"We don't have to go right away if you don't want to. We could have a simple ceremony and go north to Antiva, see those beautiful places Rinna and Serris are always talking about." A warm smile swept over his face.

"That sounds wonderful, but do you not wish to go back to Gwaren right away? You have been away for so long."

Sighing Jayden stared at his mug of tea. "In truth I think I'm afraid to go back. Exposing William as a lie …"

"William is not a lie." Delilah stated firmly. "You are William just as you are Jayden."

"I'm not sure others will think that."

"They will remember the boy you were and celebrate the man you are. How could they not?" She winced at his surprised look. "We may disagree at times, argue even, but that does not change my feelings for you and people are not fools, they will open their hearts to you, if nothing else believe that."

"How can you be so sure?"

Gently resting her hand over his heart Delilah gave him a loving smile. "Because to do such is as easy as breathing."

Smiling slightly Jayden turned away feeling a little embarrassed by the complement, seeing to their meal.

Accepting a bowl of stew, Delilah sighed contentedly, the warmth of the food gave her comfort and as always it was delicious.

xXx

Clearing the dishes as Delilah snuggled under a blanket on her makeshift bed on the floor, Jayden tried to think of anything other than the way the firelight played over her hair and the fact that they were alone together.

Subtly glancing at him, Delilah realised the effect she was having on him, it was no less to the effect he was having on her. "We should get some sleep." She whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

Jayden glanced at the bedroll she had placed next to hers. "Maybe I should sleep on this side of the fire."

"It is cold even with the fire." She felt her cheeks burn and glanced at her hands, her heart hammering.

"True." Jayden stated gently, swallowing as she reached over and clasped his hand.

"I trust you."

Against his better judgement Jayden responded to the gentle, barely perceptible pull on his hand and lay on the bedroll next to her, sighing softly as she snuggled against him, pulling the blankets over them both. "Get some sleep." He murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head.

Gently placing her head on his chest, Delilah let the steady beat of his heart drift her to sleep.

Jayden lay awake listening to the howling of the wind as the storm raged around them.

xXx

Author Note: Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed.