She trudged along beside him, trying to sort everything in the basket back to the way she had it as she went. He chuckled, amused at how much she fussed over something so small.

"What?" she asked with a defensive tone.

"Nothing at all," he dismissed, though the corners of his lip twitched skyward.

"If I sort them now, it makes putting everything away later much easier. It's not like I have anything to do the whole walk back," she explained.

"You could talk with me," he pointed out.

"I can walk, talk, and sort all at once. My hands and my mouth are not connected, despite the fun Leith likes to poke at my gesturing," she said, still frantically sorting. "What do you want to talk about?"

"So, this Leith… is he your betrothed?" He asked, glancing towards her from the corner of his eye.

"Oh goodness no!" she shrieked in disgust. "No, he's one of my brothers. He works in the kitchens and was kind enough to get me a job there once one opened up."

"Ah," he cleared his throat and turned his head away to hide a grin. "One of, you say. So, how many siblings do you have then?"

"Three, and all of them boys. Leith is the eldest, then me, then the twins. You?"

"Ah, so a crowded house then. I've just got one younger brother."

"Do you get along with him?"

He turned to look at her as they walked along. "Do you get along with your little brothers?" he countered.

"As well as one can. They never listen," she shook her head, rolling her eyes.

"Likewise," he chuckled. "Little brothers tend to get themselves into all sorts of trouble."

"Just my luck, I get two identical ones that love to play all sorts of pranks," she rolled her eyes.

Neither of them noticed how quickly the sun was setting. Bash started to crack a smile before his expression dropped. He stopped in his tracks, holding an arm out in front of her, bringing a finger to his lips. "We need to get moving. I hear footsteps and they're getting faster. Run," he hissed.

Together, they bolted as fast as their legs would carry them in the direction of the castle, the spires slightly in view between the gaps in the trees. By the time they reached the edge of the forest, she was breathing heavily, her calves throbbing from the strain.

"Don't stop til you reach the courtyard," he shouted behind her. "Come on, we're almost safe," he said, grabbing her hand to pull her along the rest of the stretch. Dragging her to safety, the two of them collapsed on the lush, green lawn.

"What… was that?" she managed to get out between deep gasps for air. "What's in the forests?"

"I pray you never have to find out," he answered solemnly. "At least we made it back safe."

She lay there for a moment, gazing up at the sky. "Safe and just in time to see the sunset."

The pair watched as the brilliant violet and pink hues blended in with the dying vibrant orange that signaled another day was done. Bash glanced at their intertwined hands, having just realized he never did let go. He smiled to himself and pretended not to notice.

"Beautiful," she sighed, marveling at the skyline before them.

"Breathtaking," he replied, watching how the colors played across her rounded face as she gazed at the sky with a childlike twinkle in her eyes while he absentmindedly stroked her hand with his thumb.

Mona jolted in surprise at the sensation and pulled her hand away, her face flushed. "I- I didn't realize. Sorry!" she cleared her throat and sat upright.

"No need to apologize. If anything, I was too forward," he sat up beside her. "I didn't mean… well, that is to say, if you have no interest, I'm deeply sorry if I offended…" He looked at her, his eyes darting to read her expression as he stumbled over his words.

Great… I blew it. She probably already has someone back home. Dolt…

"I… I didn't say that… Do… you have… any interest?" She countered with a measured tone.

"I asked you first," he teased, a grin slowly creeping onto his face with the realization she hadn't said no.

"To be fair, you didn't really ask anything," she answered with a coy smile.

"Alright," he straightened up and held her gaze, which only made her face turn a brighter shade of scarlet. "Do you have any interest in me romantically?" He was sure to specify to negate any possible sarcasm or deflection. He could tell she was a bit of a skittish one and the direct approach would be the only way to get a straight answer.

She lowered her eyes bashfully. "Yes, there is. No, you were not too forward. I… liked it," she admitted. "I like you," she said, slowly looking up at him, anxiously awaiting his next words.

"Good," he grinned. "The feeling is mutual," he offered his hand back to her.

"It is?" she asked hesitantly. "Look, if this is out of pity or you're just trying to get up the new girl's skirt and run along to the next one, I don't want it…" She picked up her basket and started to stand only for him to catch her by the wrist to pull her right back down to the grass beside him.

"Hey," he put his hand gently on her cheek before firmly cupping her chin in his hand, pulling her face towards his to force her to look at him. "I assure you, it's nothing so dastardly as that. I enjoy your company and would like more of it. Is that so unbelievable to you?"

"I'm accustomed to being a desperate last choice," she confided. "I'm only hounded after back home because I'm the only unwed woman left in our village."

"Then it sounds like the boys of your village have no taste."

She found herself leaning into his touch involuntarily, her lids fluttering closed, hoping beyond hope that this man wasn't just a silly daydream. Sebastian's heart skipped, his eyes widening in surprise before he let out a soft chuckle.

"Now who's being forward?"

Her lids shot open. He recognized the signs she was about to draw away, like a horse ready to bolt, and reassured her in hushed tones. "I was only joking with you. It's ok." She seemed to calm but still pulled away to stand.

"Leith will be wondering where I am. We really should head in." She offered him her arm as soon as she was on her feet, which he graciously took to pull himself up. Once upright, he found his face inches away from her own.

Don't. It's too soon for that. I really shouldn't press my luck. He thought as he resisted the urge to close the gap between them.

"True. We wouldn't want him to worry," he agreed, taking a small step backward. "It would make a horrible first impression. So, tomorrow morning?"

"Yes, please. I'll meet you at the apothecary. I'll need to drop off what I've found so far to Nostradamus."

"I'll see you in the morning."