Chapter 13

IT was becoming dark as we came into sight of a large lake, with an even thinner canopy above it. I suddenly realized I was caked in dirt and sweat. "Thank Nalvia, I need to take a bath," I sighed.

I was getting used to being clean daily, thanks to Birch and Grove's hospitality. I could feel the grime between my toes, in my hair. Even my clothes were stained with dirt.

Aiden looked at me with an eyebrow raised.

"Hygiene!"

"Alright," he said, chuckling.

I gave him a pointed look.

He rolled his eyes and said, "I'm going to be looking for somewhere we can stay in the night. Don't take too long."

Once his broad form had disappeared among the trees, I pulled off my clothes, and stepped in, washing myself off. I stepped behind a rock as I dried off and pulled on my dirty shirt and pants again. I was paranoid though no one was there.

"Aiden?" I called out, striding in the direction he'd walked in. The Forest was silent around me. He couldn't have gone too far. "Aiden!" I yelled, turning around.

A drop landed on my head.

I looked up slowly, taking in the stormy, gray clouds above me. As I stood there, more raindrops broke through the leaves. I blinked quickly as some of them fell in my eyes, but I couldn't look away.

My sisters had described how rain was, an endless downpour of water, but I'd never fully understood how beautiful it was. The water sliding down my face, the chill nipping at my skin, the leaves turning dark.

I took in a breath, letting the drops fall into my mouth. I was soaked and cold, but this...now I understood why my sisters had missed the rain so much. It was incredible.

"Princess!"

I looked to the side. Aiden was standing between the trees, but they weren't doing much to shield him from the storm. He gestured with his hand, and I ran over.

"What are you doing?" He asked, eyes wide.

I smiled. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" I turned back, closing my eyes, and just feeling.

There was a pause, before Aiden said, "It is." I turned back to find him looking at the sky, something akin to awe in his eyes. "I guess I just never looked at it like that." He blinked, looking down at me. "We're going to freeze if we stay out here. I found a cave where we can spend the night."

I nodded, and he gripped my hand before pulling me behind him. The rain was coming down faster, harder, so much that I could barely see Aiden. I couldn't stop grinning, though.

I could just make out a large shape in the distance, and as Aiden led me closer, I could see the stone cave, nestled in the trees. He pulled me in, and the howling wind somewhat quietened. He dropped the wet bag and pulled out another towel. I was holding the one I'd used, but it was soaked.

He tossed it to me. "Get dry." It was damp, but I could use it. I glanced at him. He was shivering slightly, the tips of his ears pale.

"What about you?"

"I'll wait."

I wiped the cold rain off my hands and body as fast as I could and threw it to him. Not that it had much effect, because my clothes were drenched, and I could feel the wind even in the small cave.

He pulled out clothes from the bag — a shirt, a jacket, pants. He glanced at me, eyes running down my body. He held out the shirt and jacket. "Here."

"You — want me to wear those?" I asked, eyes narrowed. They looked too big, and what would he wear?

He pursed his lips. "Unless you want to freeze — "

I sighed and took the clothes. He turned while I stripped off my wet clothes, drying myself off again before pulling on his. They were large, the shirt hanging off my shoulders and reaching my thighs. I didn't bother with the jacket.

I wrung my long hair, grimacing at the water that seeped out of it. If I left it open, it'd just make the shirt wet again. I tied it in a knot at the top of my head. It was the best I could do.

"You can turn now," I said. He turned, nodding once as he saw me. His fingers went to the hem of his shirt, and my eyes widened. "What are you doing?"

"Changing," he said, tone dry. I huffed and turned around. He chuckled from behind me. "You can look," he said finally, voice still amused.

I turned to find him crouching in front of the bag. He was only in the pants, and I guessed that he'd only had one pair of spare clothes. His torso was lean and muscular, small scars scattered around it. "We can't build a fire, so..."

"It's fine," I said, jerking my eyes back up to his. He sighed, straightening up. My eyes fell to his abdomen again. I pressed my lips together. "Where did you get your scars from?"

He looked down. "Training." I nodded, watching as he walked up to me, the bag in his arms. "Are you hungry?"

"A little," I admitted, the question making me aware of the gnawing at my stomach.

"You know, you don't eat enough," he said, pulling out a small container from the bag. Inside were dried fruits, vegetables, bread and cheese.

"I suppose I'm still getting used to eating full meals again," I said, shrugging. His eyes darted up to me, and I nearly bit my tongue.

"How much did they feed you?"

I pursed my lips, taking the contained from his hands and sitting down near the wall. "Let's eat."

"Elvina," he said, sitting down beside me. His eyes were dark.

I bit my lower lip. "Leave it, Aiden. Just eat." I handed him the container, having taken out some bread and cheese for myself. He exhaled through his nose but took some food as well.

We ate in silence. I finished, but Aiden shoved some berries into my hands. "Eat."

"Aiden — "

"Eat."

I sighed and ate them slowly, chewing carefully. They stayed down, and I sighed, turning to Aiden. He put the container back into the bag. There were a few leftovers, and I thanked the foresight of whoever'd packed the food.

"You go to sleep, I'll wake you up soon," he said.

I glared at him. "Not a chance. You didn't wake me up last night. Now you sleep, and I will wake you if I'm tired."

"Elvina, please — "

"No. I am not going to sleep. Now rest, I can see how exhausted you are." It was true. He was pale, purple rings under his eyes, their normal green dull.

He sighed and put an arm around my shoulders. I gave him a quizzical look. Why was he suddenly touching me like this? "It's cold," he said, defensively, his arm tightening.

I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder, my legs curled up, his warmth bringing some relief to me.

I'd never been touched like this before, by a man, but I couldn't deny that it was...comfortable. Soothing, in a way.

Aiden's arm tensed around me as a slight snore came out of his nose. He had already drifted off, the lucky elf.

I kept my eyes open, staring out into the rain. And I stayed like that until Aiden woke up and forced me to sleep, hours later.

Yes, I changed it. Our heroine was a little too helpless in the last one, don't you think? Some of you might be disappointed, I know. But it's better this way.

Did you like the Aidvina scene? There're a lot of those!

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