Chapter Four

—FORESTS OUTSIDE LUNARIA, AETHERIA—

Dante looked from the wolves approaching to the woman next to him and watched as her face went pale. “Friends of yours?”

“Nope. Absolutely not,” she said, her voice shaking. “Can we leave now? Please?”

Dante felt the waves of emotions coming off her; fear, sadness, anger, hate, hurt. These people, whoever they were, seemed to be the reason she was here.

“Okay.” Dante raised his hand, gathering energy, and transported them to the opposite side of the forest.

“They won't be able to find you now,” he said, as he walked towards her and touched her forehead.

“Uh, what are you doing?” She asked warily. “And where the hell are we?”

“To answer both your questions, I'm locking your scent so you can't be tracked and we're far away from the people chasing you,” Dante replied before walking away from her towards the griffin.

“You're one powerful fae or mage, aren't you?”

Dante looked at her with repulsion etched into his features. “I am neither.”

“Okay, then. Anyway, I'm Madeleine and you are?” Madeleine asked as she trailed behind him.

“Why should I tell you my name?”

Madeleine rolled her eyes at his response. “Common courtesy? We're travelling together after all.”

“That's unnecess…” He began but was cut off by Anya pushing against him. “Fine. My name is Dante. Are you satisfied?”

“Where did you learn your manners?”

“I didn't,” Dante replied, stepping away from her.

Madeleine walked towards him, observing his movements and actions. “Why don't you heal her with your magic?”

“And your assumption is that I haven't?” Dante asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, you could have just said that, you know?”

Dante shook his head in resignation. He walked towards Madeleine and she took a step back, a questioning look on her face.

“What?” Madeleine asked. She took another step back as he moved closer.

“I want my rope back but it's also okay if you want to stay tied up. I don't care either way,” Dante shrugged.

Madeleine stretched out her bound arms in anticipation. “Oh, okay.”

Dante waved his hand and the ropes disappeared.

“Thank you,” Madeleine said as she touched her wrists. “So, where are we going?”

“There is no WE, love,” Dante replied as he patted Anya's fur. “I'm going to find the nearest human or fae outpost and leave you there, seeing as your own kind is out for your blood.”

Madeleine faltered in her steps, her trauma replaying in her mind. She shook her head as if to dispel the memories and pasted on a smile.

“You're not going to ask why?” She inquired.

“I don't really care,” Dante responded, waving his hand in dismissal. “Come on. We're almost there?”

“Almost where?” Madeleine looked around her surroundings confused. There were definitely not any human or fae outposts nearby so that couldn't have been it.

As they kept walking, the distinct sound of flowing water became audible. Madeleine's stomach grumbled and a blush flushed her cheeks. She was hungry but water would do. For now.

Madeleine ran ahead leaving Dante behind. She was followed by Anya who had left Dante's side in favour of hers.

She stopped at the bank of the river, mesmerised by the sun's reflection on the rippling water, which created a kaleidoscope of beautiful colours.

Madeleine walked forward and squatted at the edge of the river, cupping her palms to drink from the water. Before she could take a sip, a sudden push from behind sent her tumbling forward, and she splashed into the river with a startled gasp.

She came up coughing and gasping for air to see Dante there. “You bastard,” she screamed in outrage.

“Calm down, love. You need a bath. And a change of clothes,” he stated with a straight expression. “That dress can no longer be considered white.”

“That is an inappropriate and rude thing to say to a woman, you brute,” she replied angrily.

“Bathe, princess,” Dante said as he turned and walked away. “You talk too much. There's a change of clothing here for you.”

As Madeleine stood in the water, fuming, she couldn't help but glance down at her dress. He made a valid point about the state of her dress and overall appearance. She needed a bath and a change of clothes.

With a huff, she turned and stripped herself of the gown, tentatively setting it aside. She then began the tedious process of washing herself clean. Or as clean as she could manage without soap.

“Brute,” she muttered under her breath.

He could have at least conjured up a bar of soap for her.

As she finished bathing, she stepped out of the river and noticed a towel lying on top of the clothes. She wrapped it around herself, rubbing herself dry.

Madeleine put the clothes on, not surprised that they were a perfect fit. Magic does have its perks.

Madeleine walked back to where Dante was and watched him tend to Anya's wounds.

“Yes?”

"Thank you," she said grudgingly.

Dante merely grunted, not looking up from his task.

Madeleine's eyes narrowed. "You know, you're sorely lacking in courtesy and etiquette."

Dante shrugged, still not looking up. "I'm not a gentleman, so I have no need for courtesy or etiquette."

Madeleine's eyes flashed with annoyance, but Dante ignored her, deliberately oblivious to her displeasure.

Dante stood up and walked towards her, handing her a piece of bread. “Eat.”

Madeleine repeated the instruction mockingly, "Eat." Her eyes sparkled with amusement, but Dante's expression remained unreadable.

He reached out to take the bread back, but Madeleine was quicker. She snatched it from his hand, holding it close to her chest.

Dante raised an eyebrow, surprised at her speed. Instead of trying to take the bread back again, he simply shrugged. "You trust easily, don't you?"

Madeleine's eyes flashed with indignation. "I beg to differ," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm simply choosing the lesser evil. And right now, that's you."

Dante's expression remained the same but a small, enigmatic smile played on his lips. "Is that so?" he said, his voice low and smooth. "Well, I suppose that's better than being the greater evil.”

“I suppose,” Madeleine repeated in between bites.

“We'll camp here for the night and head in the direction of Valoria tomorrow.”

Dante watched as Madeleine nodded her approval. There was something about her. Something different. And it wasn't the fact that she talked a lot and somehow managed to pull reactions from him.

He didn't know why, but he felt a pull to her. Tomorrow, he'll find out as much about her as he can. He'll watch her, satiate his curiosity about her and leave her in Valoria.

At least, in the human cities, she would be able to avoid her pursuers easier than if he left her with the fae in Eldoria.

That was the best option for her. Hopefully.