S IN AE

hed her quietly. She wasn't the same person crippled with fear and pa

pened to her. She had accepted the outcome but s

around, her eyes narrowing at Dante. "You're

y it. "I was just observing," he said,

. "Observing? You were watching me like

at hiding your pain, love. You smile and pretend ev

deleine scoffed, irrit

re while you recovered from your nightmar

rned guarded. "Well, what

ing it my business. You refuse to face

d. "You just go straight to the p

"I see no point in bea

to get what you want. But since you're so interested in me, why don't you

and he turned away from her.

You're not even going to introduce yourself properly? What are you, any

I am is none of your concern. Let's just

idered polite to introduce yourself properly. E

are about being polite. I care about getting the job d

ing polite," she said, her voice firm. "And I care about knowing who I'm t

s, and I am not trying to be. I would have left you where I found you with

nstead, she turned and walked away, her back straight and her head

med capable of getting under his skin. He didn't care about

was drawn to her. In a couple of days, they would part ways in V

't help but steal glances at Dante, trying to read his

ion, went ahead, disap

, feeling a pang

long shadows on the forest floor. Madeleine heard the soft rustling of leaves and the chirping

" Dante said, his voice low

the break. She sat down besid

wonder what he was doing. A few minutes later, he return

he said, the air around h

kindling in the middle of the clearing. He raised his hands, a

ed beside the fire, filled with bubbling water. Ingredients began to material

amazement. "What are you m

oon," Dante replied, focusing on t

inued to conjure up ingredients and stir the stew wit

e this before, and she couldn't help bu

a bowl and handed it to Madeleine. He also served a smaller

vouring the flavours. "This is really

respond. Instead, he sto

sn't eating. "Aren't you goi

ebrow. "Why did yo

t eaten since we met, despite c

ide Madeleine, taking a bowl of stew for himself. He

g the stew. When they were done, Madeleine

up the ingredients fo

uring," he said. "More like marking an

prise. "Huh? So, you can just m

ated, but that's the basic idea. Bigger objects require mor

ould ask any of them, Dante stood up, taking the used bowls

, Madeleine's eyes grew heavy with sleep. The warmth of the fire an

onto his lips. He saw the moment when her eyes finall

on, lay down beside her, nuzzling

protective barrier around Madeleine and Anya as he sat