A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

No apology left her lips. Her gaze merely became hardened. He should be thankful that she hadn't used her left hand, or her wedding ring would've done some damage. Stunned, Tarhuinn brought his left hand up to his cheek before he emitted a near growl. Holding onto caution, she took a step back, but she kept her left hand secured tightly around his right wrist. She wasn't going to permit him to charge off and ruin her hard work.

Before he could speak, well, more likely yell, she exclaimed, "Just listen to me! Don't take apart what I worked so hard towards!" As he was about to counter, she tugged on him more. "You may have heard reports from the pixies, but you weren't there to experience it. You didn't witness with your own eyes what h*ll I went through to get to this point. Sure, the first two days made it seem like I was enjoying myself, but I was absolutely terrified on the inside.

"I remained pleasant with him because I wanted to avoid taking the pixies' suggested route. I may have laughed a few times with him, but it was nothing more than that. Last night should prove to you that I have no intention of protecting him once he aids the pixies. As soon as he deals with the other mage, you may kill him to your heart's content if that's what you want. The sick pervert will receive no more mercy from me. Just for right now, forget about him. Please, Tarhuinn."

Wrenching his wrist from her grip, he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against a nearby tree. "And, what about the information that you were trying to hide from me?"

"I wanted to keep that a secret because I knew that you would erupt into fury. If you really want to protect me, wouldn't your ultimate goal be to get me this possible serum? You would be extending my life that way. Put your anger towards that goal instead of on some wretched mage. He can wait, but we may only have so much time to act before we're discovered by the five authors. Who knows if a spy is reporting to them this instant."

"Did he do anything else to you?" When she looked hesitant, he barked out, "Tell me, or I won't even consider your plea!"

Glancing away from him, she smoothed back her still drying hair. She bit her bottom lip. His previous actions before last night weren't nearly as bad, but the fact that he did so in secret was what made them so horrifying. Not only that but it was also embarrassing to explain such things. (F/n) felt that if she were to even utter them she would be dirtying herself.

Bringing her cloak closer around her, she peered back over to him. His patience was almost expired. She forced herself to bring words to her mouth before she parted her lips and slowly explained what else had occurred. Tarhuinn's countenance remained uneasily calm during her accounts. When she finished, he motioned for her to come over to him. Cautiously, she did so.

Upon reaching him, he softly pulled back her cloak and right sleeves. His fingers traced over the mark before he met her gaze. "I'll let this one heal before I place a new one here. That way there will be no traces of his mark left." Heat dusted itself across her cheeks as she gave no other response to his words.

Picking up her right hand, he upturned her palm to him. Despite the skin being healed, the image of Will sliding a blade across it was all too easy to see. Tarhuinn rubbed his thumb in small circles there before he placed a gentle kiss on her skin. The heat in her cheeks grew, but he soon pulled away.

"We'll go forward. You're right; we can't have the authors getting a hold of us. We need to catch them off guard as best we can. Did the pixies tell you the way?"

"Yes, it's quite simple, but, for tonight, I have a suggestion." She paused, but he motioned for her to continue. He would probably despise it, but it would keep them from the night's cold embrace. "Will is staying with the pixies right now, so he won't be in his cabin. I hate that place, but we can have a warm meal there and bed."

"I'd rather burn it down." He grabbed both of their packs and handed hers to her.

Slipping her arms through the sleeves, she rested it onto her back. "I share a similar opinion, but if he finds that we set his house on fire, he may come after us. And, we don't need him hunting us down. I want to avoid him for as long as we can. Still, his house would give us one night of decent shelter. I can grab a bucket and fill it with water so that you can place your feet in it."

"First you have me refrain from killing this mage. Now, you'll have me sleep in his house. You're really pushing your limits, my chosen." He placed his pack on his back before he swiftly caught her. "I'll be carrying you before we get to this cabin. It's been much too long since I last held you."

(F/n) couldn't make much protest given how she was exhausted beforehand, and now her legs refused to move. There was also the fact that she desperately wished for sleep. She didn't want to fall asleep immediately, though. The fear of finding Tarhuinn gone when she woke back up was too strong. As if understanding her dilemma, he muttered, "Rest. I'll wake you when we reach it."

His soothing voice lulled her even further into sleep's arms. Resting her head against his chest, she peered up at him before she closed her eyes. She hoped that he would truly listen to her, but the decision was entirely in his hands now.

~~~~~~~~~~

Once night greeted the land, the cabin came into sight. Tarhuinn stopped and looked down to his beloved, who was still fast asleep. He didn't desire to wake her; he wished to pass the cabin and continue on their way. An actual bed did sound tempting, but he wanted it to be their own, not that of a horrendous mage. Even if he desired to carry on, he didn't know where to head. (F/n) hadn't told him the directions.

Reluctantly, he shook her gently awake. She shifted in his arms while her hands clutched more at his shirt. Gazing upon her peaceful look, he lost himself for a moment. He was so elated to have her back in his arms. It was vexing that she had fought against his wishes, but he still adored her. If someone were to ask him to stop loving her, he would state that it couldn't be done. That's why he couldn't have her going off on her own again. The past three days had been rough enough.

Not removing his eyes from her form, he gently shook her again. "It's time to get up, (f/n)." This time, she blinked open her eyes. She looked up to him before a small yawn escaped her lips. It was an adorable sight to view. As she gained her bearings, he set her down on the drier ground. "I'll head down into the lake while you head into the cabin." A nod came from her. Before she set off, however, he tugged on her right arm and had her face him. "Be careful. He may not be in there, but you need to be cautious still."

Giving him a reassuring smile, she rested her other hand on top of his. "I will be. You do the same. I never swam out too far in those waters, and I don't want you to do so either."

"I understand. I'll see you soon," he answered before he pulled away and headed off towards the large body of water.

When she entered the cabin, a chill ran up her spine, but she reminded herself that Will wasn't here. He wouldn't burst through the door and drag her down to the storage area. She made her feet walk further in. At the fireplace, she grabbed the wood and tossed it in. Striking the fire steel, the wood came to life with flames. Heat greeted her as she placed the fire steel back down.

She retrieved one of the wooden buckets and headed back outside. Tarhuinn was sitting upon the rocks where she had gone fishing with Will. His feet were dipped in the water. He seemed to be lost in thought; he was probably debating on how to murder Will. Shaking her head, she walked over to him. "You'll be able to cross the distance between here and the house, right?" she asked while she filled the bucket.

Gaze examining the distance, he nodded. "I'll be able to, but it'll be close. Carry the bucket inside, and I'll come in once you have it set down."

Agreeing to this, she grabbed a few clinglobs before she headed in with the water. Once the bucket was set down, she stood by the doorway and motioned him to come inside. He walked up to the shore of the lake. She couldn't see his facial expression in the darkness, but his hesitation was obvious. If only, she could dig a path for him from the lake to the house in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, that luxury wasn't available.

About to urge him to come forward, she watched him sprint towards her. The action caused her to stumble some as she hadn't expected him to run that fast. It was as though she were watching a charging beast race towards her. His pace, though, slowed considerably when he was close to the door. Tarhuinn's feet grew more sluggish and, at the doorstep, he looked like he might fall over.

Swiftly, she slung his right arm over her shoulders and went on in with him. She seated him down at the chair with the bucket and placed his feet inside of it. Relief washed over him as he rested his head in the palm of his right hand. (F/n) went over and closed the door to trap the heat in. Giving another glance to Tarhuinn, she saw that his stamina was returning. Relieved herself, she went to making the two of them dinner.