*10*

"There you go, Kyrene," I gritted my teeth as I held onto the back of the couch. "You're doing very well. Just try and keep your legs straight and take deep, even breaths. You're doing very well."

"It hurts," I gasped out as my legs shook uncontrollably. "Crae, it hurts so bad. I don't think I can stay up much longer." Strong arms snaked around me, lifting me off the floor, and I winced as pain shot through my legs. I took even breaths to calm myself.

"That's enough for today." He laid me down on the couch and took his seat in the chair. "You did very well, though. You stood up all on your own and you stood for at least three minutes."

"Better than yesterday," I shook my head. The second I had stood myself up, I crumbled to the ground in pain.

"You've made very good progress within the last four days, though." He commented. "The land is doing wonders for you. I think we'll call it for the day and try again tomorrow when you're ready." I nodded and tried to keep my mind off my legs. They were sore, but doing better now that I was off them.

"I need to take a trip up to the market later today," Crae suddenly said, breaking the silence. "I need to get information from the towns folk about what they've observed with the Demon and pick up some provisions for dinner tonight. Will you be alright alone?"

I nodded. "I'll be fine."

"Good." He stood from his chair and left the room. I sat myself up a bit and rubbed my legs. It helped the pain go down, but I knew it was going to be there a while.

Gentle hands moved mine aside. "Allow me," I looked up to see Crae kneeling down beside me. He focused on my legs as he began to massage them. I watched him closely, not understanding why he's doing this for me.

As we sat in silence, his hands worked up and down my legs, never going any farther than my knees. Still, I never took my eyes off his face. He's very relaxed and calm. I was surprised by his actions. I'd never had this done for me, and it felt wonderful.

Our gazes locked for a second and I gasped. Even though it only lasted a few seconds, it felt like eternity as I was suddenly sucked into a vision. I watched myself wander in a dark area, not knowing where I was. I knew I was looking for someone, but who?

When I turned, I gasped and clutched at my head.

Something shook my shoulders. "Kyrene! Snap out of it! You're alright! You're okay!"

"M-monster!" I cried out as I shook and fought to get away.

"Kyrene, please!" A strained voice called my name. "Kyrene! You're safe! Nothing can get you here! Please stop screaming!"

I swallowed, just now realizing my throat was sore and dry. "Crae?" I slowly opened my eyes, finding myself in a familiar setting. I was back in the cottage. The vision had ended.

Crae watched me carefully, his face concerned and covered with worry. "Kyrene, it's alright. Whatever you saw, it can't hurt you. It was just a vision. It can't hurt you."

I suddenly found myself latching on to him in a tight embrace. "I was so scared..."

He hesitantly held me back. "What did you see?"

"I-" I shook my head, but found my voice to speak. "I was walking in a dark place. It was too dark to see anything. I knew I was looking for someone. When I turned around..." I choked on my words as the image of what I saw filled my memories again.

"Take your time." Crae carefully traced his hand over my back in a comforting gesture.

When I could speak, I spoke in barely a whisper. "It was... a creature, roughly seven feet tall. It was covered in blood and its gaping maw was open and it looked like it wanted to... to eat me..."

Crae fell silent and held me tighter. He didn't speak for many moments. "I'm so sorry you had to see that. I will take every precaution possible to keep that from happening. Do you know who you were looking for?"

I shook my head. "All I know is that I was looking for some person."

"It's a start." He gave me one last squeeze before pulling back. He almost seemed to have aged to an older man. I knew he was scared and worried.

"I'll see if I can get some of the Fairies and Elementals to watch over you while I'm gone," He stood and fixed his shirt. "As much as I would love to stay and keep you safe from what you saw, if I don't go to the market, we won't have dinner." I nodded slowly, not wanting him to leave.

He gently pat my head. "Everything is going to be alright." He slowly turned from me then strode over to the window. He opened it wide and stuck a hand out.

Two Fairies landed on his hand. He spoke in hushed tones to them and they quickly flew off. Not even thirty seconds later, they returned with Fern and two of the glowing orbs; one green and one a silver color.

"They will be taking care of you while I'm gone," Crae stated as he closed the window once more. "I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I promise I'll be back long before sundown. I'll see you in a while." He nodded to the Elementals and Fairies before he left the cottage, locking it up tight.

Fern flitted in front of me. "Are you alright, Kyrene? I'd overheard you got scared by a vision."

I nodded and told her what I saw. "My, that's awful..."

"And you saw that when you looked into Crae's eyes?" Another Fairy with purple hair asked as she sat on the coffee table. I nodded. "Then maybe you were looking for him and ran into the beast!"

"Good observation, Lilac!" Fern flew in a circle. "Orelie only have visions about what they see by looking into someone's eyes! We have to make sure Crae never goes missing!"

The silver orb went up to Fern and chittered at her. "Hm, you're right. Crae would never go missing. He'd always be trying to keep Kyrene with him. Were you walking in the vision?"

I nodded. "Yes, I was. Do you think he maybe went missing while on a job?"

"All options are on the table!" Lilac stated firmly. "We Fairies and Elementals will help keep a close eye on him!"

The green orb suddenly buzzed around, making odd chirp sounds. "Whoa, take it easy there! What do you mean Crae would know what's up? We could just simply tell him we're passing through or something." Lilac stood and placed her hands on her hips.

"I don't know, he has a point." A Fairy with incredibly green hair landed beside Lilac. "Crae is too smart. He'd see right through our poor lies. He'd know something was up."

"Sage, we own that forest." Fern scoffed. "Crae can't keep us from flying there. We don't tell him we're watching him. Besides, it's not like he goes out by himself anymore. He has Kyrene! And once she can walk and use magic, they'll be out doing jobs together! Also, don't you guys remember that Orelie only see possible futures?"

Sage and Lilac thought for a second. "You're right, Fern. I'd completely forgotten about that. Who are we to worry about what Crae does? Just so long as we watch him a bit when he's alone, things should go well, right?"

Fern snapped her fingers. "Exactly!"

The green orb let out a low, soft whine. "Don't worry about that!" Fern waved the Elemental off. "We're the best forest creatures! It shouldn't be too hard to watch a single Mage, right?"

The silver orb gave two chirps. "Oh yeah... I forgot..."

"Forgot what?" I asked, not liking that I couldn't understand the Elementals.

"Advanced Mages are able to transport themselves from one spot to another." Sage explained. "They use it mainly in emergencies, because it takes a lot of stamina to use it correctly. But someone like Crae should be able to use it whenever he wants. So if he really feels like it, he could just go poof and we wouldn't be able to find him."

"That would cause problems." I muttered. "I guess the only things you guys can do is try your best to watch him as closely as possible."

"And we will." Fern smiled softly. "You have our word. Now, enough of this talk! Let's have fun!"

"Fun? Hey, wait!" Fern and the Fairies flew over to me and grabbed my hands. "I can't stand yet!"

"No problem!" Lilac giggled and I was somehow pulled to my feet. I gasped and shut my eyes, waiting to meet the floor.

When nothing happened, I opened my eyes and saw myself floating a few inches off the floor. My eyes widened when the silver orb flew around my feet and back behind me. It circled me from head to toe.

"But how...?" I couldn't finish my question.

"Wind Elementals are able to move the air around them." Sage explained. "So, this Elemental is making the air around you heavier so that way it gives you the illusion of flying! Amazing, huh?"

"Very." I carefully stuck my hand out in front of me. The orb snuggled into it for a few seconds before it continued to circle me once more.

"Let's go!" Fern waved her hand and we began to fly around the cottage, playing the Fairies version of chase.

I laughed and giggled more than I ever had in my entire life.