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Ren’s chest rumbles around me, shaking so violently I fear I was too late. I clutch his shirt, my eyes darting to his in worry. Instead of finding an expression of agonizing pain on his face like one would expect of a poisoned person, I find himlaughing.
My features darken, and I slap him on his chest, breaking away from his embrace. “It isn’t funny. I’d bet you wouldn’t laugh if you were dying right now.”
I turn, arms crossed over my chest. Prepared to stalk away like a woman with all the cards, I stretch my legs- and one large stride later, an echoing rip sounds through the forest.
I freeze, my stomach dropping.
Turning my head slowly, I see the long, thin tear of my beautiful dress, now forever damaged.
With narrowed eyes, I lift my stare to Ren. His hand covers his mouth, as if to hide the fact that he had been laughing at me moments ago.
Before I have time to open my mouth and blame this terrible occurrence on him, he springs forward, his movements so rapid they appear as a blur. His hands work at the material of my coverings, removing the remaining thorns and the attached vine.
His head snaps up, features apologetic. “We’ll fix it.” He whispers.
“Hmph.” I keep my chin up, not acknowledging his comment. Perhaps this is the trial all humans go through.Ripped clothing and stubborn men.I clench my jaw, stepping back onto the trail once Ren has freed me.
We walk in silence for an hour before Ren speaks again.
“You aren’t mad at me, are you, Thea?”
I snort. “Oh,absolutelynot. Not even a tiny bit.” I slap a branch out of my path, not even caring how childish it feels.
Despite knowing how lowly my actions make me appear, this is a situation I’ve longed for. My curiosity and lack of experience fuel my need for silly fights, playing with creatures, pretending to be mad, and stalking off like a princess in distress.
Children and I have many things in common. We are both powerful, brave, and eager to say hello to whatever the day brings.
I know more than a mere youngling, but I want to feel it all; both the hardships of learning and the wisdom of the aged.
Ren is silent for a moment longer, our footsteps the only noise surrounding us. The sun is falling, and the brightness of the sunset shines through the forest, causing my eyes to water at its glare. A nagging sensation of regret tugs at my thoughts, and just before I’m about to apologize, Ren sighs.
“Would the spider have poisoned you?” He asks, voice low. “Could it have affected your body, despite your powers?”
Ice prickles my spine, causing a shiver to wash over my shoulders. Would the beast have taken me out?No, something within me whispers. “The others sent me here with their blessings,” I bite my lip, still deliberating my response. “The Black Widow’s poison only kills a percentage of its victims. I have a feeling I’d survive by their graces, no matter how likely I am to succumb.”
I can feel Ren stepping closer to me, his stride widening until his warmth is nearly pressed against my back. “So you are blessed, then. You are safe from the illnesses most humans develop.”
“Nothing is certain.” I shrug my shoulders. “I think I’ll be okay. The deadliest thing on this Earth falls prey to me, so as long as I don’t contract a new variant of Ebola, I should be okay.”
Ren grabs my hand, stopping me in my tracks. I turn, glancing over my shoulder in question. A branch separates us, and he gently pulls it away, pushing it behind him. His ruby flaked eyes fill with concern. “Ebola? Is this another poison?”
My teeth scrape over my lower lip as I shield my smile. “No. It’s nothing important.” His mouth falls into a frown, but his hand loosens over mine. I wriggle free just enough to thread my fingers through his, pulling him onward. “Come, we’ll find a place to camp.”
As luck would have it, we do find a place. The forest breaks at a cool, rocky hill. Nestled between the ground and the base of the stone ledge is a large, withered willow tree. She leans forward, misshapen by her position between the soil and the rock side. Her vines creep low to the ground, creating a natural shelter with protection from the elements.
Ren trails his free hand over the hanging leaves, his fingertips swaying the greenery. His grip on me is warm, and my stomach does its odd little flip again.
“This tree is unique. I haven’t seen one like it before.” His voice echoes his awe.
“It’s a weeping willow. Some think of it as a maiden in mourning, because when it rains, droplets of water trail down her vines and pool on the ground below.” I bend, parting the growth to enter the oasis underneath. Ren follows, and I try to ignore the pang of loss I feel when he releases his hold on me.
I sigh, scooting until my back rests against the tree's trunk. It’s shadowy here, and when I lift my attention to Ren, his eyes are brighter. Shining.
Their intensity should frighten me. His species is why I'm here, the sole reason I was sent to save my creations. Isn’t it wrong to befriend the enemy?
No,the voice in my head whispers.Never fear him.
I decide to listen to the voice.
