Nothing could have prepared me for what his response was to my words, especially due to the vulnerability he allowed himself to show towards me. My eyes widened a tad further when I watched his walls crumble before me, finally allowing me to read him like I had wanted to for so long already. The way he said my name stirred the emotions within me and they soon crashed over me like a tidal wave, reminding me of how much it had hurt to watch him leave mere seconds after he had finally given me what I needed from him. I knew he was desperate to convey how sorry he was and, even though I had already sworn to myself that I would accept the apology and move on, I hung onto every single word he told me. His explanation made sense to me, but.. I was willing to throw it all away just for him. Of course, he was unaware of it since we both barely knew each other and were clinging onto emotions that seemed to be a result of fate putting us together. I noticed how he was hesitant to touch me, making me feel a little more hurt. I wanted his touch, I wanted to be by his side, but most importantly I wanred him to understand that I could care less about who he was; my emotions and feelings spoke for themselves anyways.

``I don`t care about that,`` I admitted in a hushed whisper, my gaze searching his own even further. I took a small step closer as I frowned, praying that my reassurances would reach him. Even though I was a princess and deserved someone of equal status and origin, my heart wanted him and that was all that mattered Even if I found someone else, there was simply no way I could get rid of him from his place he had wormed into my heart. Besides, I knew how tough was for people like him and I admired the way they kept fighting, even if their ways were questionable at times. However, I knew he wasn`t as terrible as he described himself to be; he could have easily killed me after he had killed Veron since I had healed him, especially when I could expose him and give descriptions of his appearance to help Veron`s men track him down. I closed my eyes briefly as I debated my next words, opening them again eventually. ``I don`t know why, but all I want is you.``

I observed him carefully, gauging his reaction to my words. I finally mustered the courage to take another step closer so that the distance between us was basically nonexistent. With a quiet sigh, I slowly lifted my hands to embrace him gently, keeping my hold lose just in case he wanted to escape it. If he allowed me to, I placed my chin on his shoulder and closed my eyes, visibly relaxing. My raging headache seemed to suddenly lessen the moment I touched him, as jf my body itself was welcoming him back into my life despite everything that has happened. I wanted to tell him so much more, but I needed to know with certainty that he wouldn`t leave me this time and that I wouldn`t have to worry about the possibility of him doing so at every moment. I had never loved someone before and I doubted I loved him since it was far too soon, but what I felt.. I knew it was the beginning of what could only be described as love, but it all depended on him. I wanted him to realize that I truly did not care about his origins, his wealth, his occupation, all of it; all I cared about was having him beside me.

I felt incredibly relieved when he reciprocated the embrace I gave him, relaxing even more at his touch. It was then and there that I told myself that I would do my best for him and for whatever our relatjonship wohld be in the future; he was a stranger yet I felt like I had known him for so long, like he was a missing piece to the puzzle thay was my heart. Although his touch and presence had soothed my headache and feelings of sadness and pain, his words seemed to make me focus on my illness again. I did not understand why I was so sick other than the scroll Estrelle and I had found, describing High Fae magic as something living and incredibly dangerous. The last thing I wanted was to lose my grip over the magic swirling within my heart, but I was concerned by the fact that it continued to worsen instead of get better.

``No, I haven`t,`` I mumbled softy into the crook of his neck, feeling the warmth that exuded from him despite the cold breezs. Occasionally, I would shiver as a result of the fever and its cruel grip on my body and the headache certainly did not help either. I wondered if this was something my mother and father had endured, but if they had.. Surely they would have warned me, especially due to how much damage I could potentially cause, right? Then again, the scroll had said magic only started acting up when it reached its highest peak, an incredibly rare occurrence. ``And is that really the best idea?``

My question was a valid one, especially since there was the possibility news would spread far and wide that a High Fae was currenrlt sick. If the weong people heard of it, disaster could strike rather easily; Veron`s men would leap at the chance to get their hands on me when I was this weak and unable to properly defend myself. I had planned on staying at the Northern Encampment with Estrelle and Tyrine and hope that eventually my magic would give up or something, even if that sounded stupid; the idea of it giving up, to be precise.

Truth be told, I was incredibly relaxed and comfortable with what was happening that I too had also not realized that we had probably been standing there for a rather long duration of time. The cold breeze was becoming harsher with its flourishes, yet I did not mind; I wanted him to hold me for as long as possible, if he wanted. When he started moving slightly, I opened my eyes to meet his green gaze, a minuscule smile tugging at the corners of my lips. Despite everything that had unfolded between us, this felt like where I was supposed to be. I had been on the verge of saying something else when he suddenly spoke, my eyes widening when he gave me such an important piece of information.

``Goras Kelxina,`` I repeated his name quietly while my lips finally curled in an obvious smile. I really liked the way his name sounded on my tongue, even if it seemed a bit absurd. Even though I was a little disappointed by the fact his eyes were closed, I was grateful that we were already making progress. The fact that I knew something so personal to him was reassuring to me, an indication that perhaps whatevee was unfolding between us might not be as doomed from the beginning like both of us had thought days before. I also found it a little comical that he was being so gentle and affectionate with me due to his personality.. It made me feel special since I doubted anyone else had seen this side of him.

I nodded in quiet agreement with his words, frowning temporarily at the distance between us. I really didn't want to leave his side, even for a second; I probably sounded insane for this, but.. maybe he was bringing out my clingy side, the one I used to have when I was a wee child and followed my parents around like my life depended on it. I allowed myself a sigh of relier, however, when he continued to keep me close when he guided me towards Arselicker, savoring how gentle he was. My hesrt warmed at how considerate he was being, especially when he was prioritizing me because of my stupid illness. I really was falling firther and further for Goras, even though we had technically still just met, but I welcomed all of these emotions despite how sudden and ridiculous they seemed. I knew that I could easily get into Arselicker's saddle, but with the weakness and fever plaguing me.. I figured I could use his assistance just in case. I gave him a grateful smile before I used his hands to help swing my legs over the dappled grey and landing gently in the saddle. His question made it seem like he intended on dropping me off somewhere, something I did not want.

``Could I go with you?`` I asked with a small tilt of my chin, giving him a smile. The chances of him denying my request were incredibly high and I knew it, but I wanted to ask at the very least. Besides, I didn`t want to go back to that stupid tower and I was far too exhausted to deal with Estrelle and her scoldings if I returned to the encampment. I watched him as I waited for an answer, my hopes fluctuating between high and low whenever he looked over at me with those gorgeous green eyes. Since I had the higher ground from my seat on Arselicker, I decided to give him more of a taste of what I was really like; after all, we both had to learn more about each other, even if he knew a lot more about me. When he was getting prepared to mount himself, I slowly reached out a hand to gently ruffle his black locks, careful to not mess them up too much or accidentally knock his hood off. I lauhed gently before I retreated my hand and looked elsewhere, as if I had done absolutely nothing wrong.