The next few hours turned out to be more stressful as we quickly learned the Trollocs were still tracking us somehow. We got away but barely, hiding in a hidden city, an abandoned one from the looks of it. Too soon, we realized why - it was cursed. Cursed because of an ancient feud. And now we were paying the price as the darkness tried to swallow us whole.

I was in one of the many rooms of the castle when it happened. My back was pressed up against one of its crumbling stone walls when Mat's words drifted over to me.

"You should have this. Laila made it," he said and I glanced over to see him handing Perrin a small but sharp knife that looked to be of fine quality, "She always said she didn't make weapons; she made tools. And that I'd probably use it a thousand times for...chopping apples or whittling wood before I ever needed it to...defend myself. But to keep it sharp...keep it clean, so that if I ever...did need it...it'd be ready. "

Mat let out a breath then, leaning his head back against the wall just as I was doing before continuing, "A tool though, still. To save my life...or the life of someone that I loved. And she thought that would probably be you. Since she seemed to think if...you ever got into any trouble, it would...probably be my fault. Although, to be perfectly honest, can't see how anyone could reasonably blame me for any of this,"

There were tears in Perrin's eyes but at this last sentence, he began to chuckle along with Mat.

Perrin sobered up then suddenly, glancing at his friend, "You should tell her, you know. She deserves to know the truth. Don't lose what might be your last chance with her. You never know when your last moments with someone will be..."

He trailed off then, his words hanging in the air and I could tell he was thinking of Laila. I bit my lip. She had been a good friend, a kind soul. It still felt like yesterday that we had lost her.

"Thank you," Perrin said all of a sudden, indicating the knife, "For this. You know...the girls are gonna be fine. My parents will be over at yours, checking on them. Rand's and Egwene's, too."

He got up then, telling Mat something about needing to check on Egwene before exiting the room.

Silence filled the otherwise empty space then and I couldn't stop myself from glancing up at Mat through dark lashes. Imagine my surprise when I found him looking back, that hypnotic jade-green gaze locked on mine. I cleared my throat once, resolving finally to do what I had been meaning to since we'd had to flee from our village.

Gingerly, I made my way across the room to take a seat on the floor beside Mat. He sent a small smile my way which I returned gratefully. And just like that, my head found his shoulder, my hands wrapping around his arm to bring him closer. Mat didn't object, instead putting his own hand over one of mine. Despite having been separated for so long, there still lie a bond between us that was so unbreakable. Not even our parents could change it.

"I've missed this," I whispered in the fading light of the day trickling down on us through a crack in the stone wall.

Leaning down, he rested his cheek on the top of my head and I heard him breathe deep before letting out in a long sigh.

"Me too."

"Mat, I'm so sorry...for everything. The way my parents treated you, I-" I began but he cut me off, shaking his head vehemently.

"You don't have to apologize, that wasn't your fault-"

"Please, let me finish," I begged and he fell silent as I continued, "I should never have let them make that decision for me. I'm in charge of my own life, not them. And I..."

I took a deep breath then, shaking with anxiety, anticipation and another emotion I knew all too well.

Slowly, I lifted my head, my face only inches from his as I spoke quietly, "I shouldn't have let them dictate how I feel about you, Matty."

His expression in the fading daylight was unreadable and to be honest, that scared me. What if...even after everything...he didn't share my feelings? He didn't feel...what I felt? But no matter, I kept going. I had to.

"I...I care about you, Mat. I always have. Ever since I met you seven years ago, I knew you were the one,"

His silence was killing me as it stretched on, his expression still blank and unreadable. But there was darkening of his jade-green eyes and I swallowed down the lump forming in my throat as I began to realize the huge mistake I had just made.

"I...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said it, I...I'm sorry-" I cut myself off, tears beginning to pool in my eyes as I stood up on wobbly legs, about to make my exit.

But a hand gripped my wrist, fingers calloused and dirty as I was yanked back down to my knees. My eyes met Mat's for only a split second before his mouth crashed into mine. With a widened gaze, shock rolled over me before slowly, I gave in to the kiss and melted into his arms. His lips were smooth and soft, gentle at first. But as I pressed my lips to his harder, letting all of my pent-up feelings into it, I felt him deepen the kiss. My fingers tangled into the softness of his dark curls and he pulled me closer in that moment, hands resting on my hips.

And then, for the very first time, I knew I had made the right choice. Because my love for Mat was no longer hindered by monetary means, ambition, or a small-minded society. No, now, our love was on display for everyone to see. But it wasn't for everyone.

It was only for us.