Chapter Three

Gazing at the male who had spoken, I watched as nearly everyone around the stall seemed to back away as the intruder approached us. Moving my gaze back to the intruder, I now could understand why the others moved. The intruder was tall with muscles poking through his white button-up shirt.

Stepping away from Father I moved closer to the edge of the stalls table. Father seemed thrilled about finally selling his weapon, as father hurriedly rushed to prepare the sword. Father seemed almost giddy as he handed the sword over to the intruding male. Observing his movements, I couldn't help but notice how different he looked.

His long black hair was tied at the back of his head, his silver eyes scanning the blade sparkled as if stars were shining within them. His skin looked to be kissed by the sun, with small little freckles just barely visible to the naked eye. His eyes held something familiar to them and the more I stared at him, the more I felt at home. The cut on my finger began to throb around the edges of the cut, and as I gazed at the blade, I could still see a small amount of blood resting at the tip.

As if noticing the blood, the intruder gazed at it closer. Tilting the blade closer to his face, a small frown rested on his handsome face. I think it's best you tend to your finger. By the amount of blood still on the blade-." Casting his gaze toward me, he continued, "I think you cut deeper than you think."

Looking down at my hand, I noticed blood was still dripping from my finger. Swallowing my pride, I lifted my head. "My finger is of no concern to you, outsider."

The frown that settled on his face almost had me regretting my words, almost. Opening his mouth as if to speak, he seemed to catch himself before clearing his throat. His silver eyes locked with my fathers, as he smiled. "I've purchased your work many times before, and so has my father. I'll give you one hundred coins for this weapon."

Shocked whispers echoed around the small stall. One hundred coins were enough to get Father the new stall he had been wanting. One with a prime location in the trading area, instead of the one we now had at the edge of the market. Laughing in glee, Father turned to grab the sword's leather sheath. "Thank you, boy." He spoke.

Carefully placing the sword in its sheath, Father handed the weapon to the young male. Sighing, I clenched my fists. I knew the money was going to help my father but I couldn't help but feel cautious about this man. There was something about him that seemed so familiar yet so distant at the same time.

The more I gazed at him, the more I started to realise. "You've been here a few times, haven't you?" I questioned. "I've seen you before."

Smiling, he handed the sword to a man behind him. Bowing, the man walked away from the silver-eyed stranger, but not before taking a glance in my direction. Locking his silver eyes with my own, I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Like I said, I like your father's work."

"No." I was quick to stop him. I know I had seen him many times before, I just couldn't remember where from. "I know I have seen you. What's your name?"

Smiling, the male bowed before walking away but not before glancing at me one final time. "It's sad you can't remember."

A few men that lingered around the table grumbled and groaned. They were angry that an outsider had outbid them in their attempts to haggle for a great weapon. Father however was happily counting all the coins he had received from the sale. Glancing down at my finger which was still dripping blood, the man's eyes flashed into my vision. Glancing in the direction he had disappeared, a small flutter feeling filled my chest. "Who are you?"

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With the full moon festival only days away now, the town was buzzing with excited young women. The men of the town seemed to think differently though. Hunters had been out searching for the creatures of the night, in some hope of stopping the ceremony. One of those men was Matthew. He had come to my father's workshop late last night in hopes of convincing me not to join the festival and ceremony. But as always, I declined. None of them understood why I needed to go. Yes, it was to find Sharlee, but there was also another reason. I had seen Gabriel and his family always enter and leave that very forest. It wasn't just my brain wanting answers, my heart also wanted to know what was so special about this forest, and why I was always feeling called towards it.

Sitting at the large wooden table situated in the middle of the hut, I laughed at a story Father was telling me. The way father threw his hands up to explain how big the fish he had seen, had my heart warming with so much love for him. His smile was enormous and he seemed to be in high spirits.

The sound of the front door creaking open caught our attention. Snapping my head towards the door, Matthew stood there with a few cut-offs from a deer's leg. Smiling, Father walked towards Matthew with a broad smile.

"Matthew, what brings you here boy?" Clapping Matthew on the back, he walked him towards the table. Placing the meat down, Matthew's blue eyes met mine.

Smiling, he turned to my father. "I brought this as a gift for your family, Mr Robert... I was hoping Annabelle still wished for my hand."

Taking a deep breath, I resisted the urge to argue. I knew if I yelled or made a scene, it would only upset Father more. I had to try and get Matthew to understand why I couldn't marry him. Even if it meant breaking his heart.

"of course, she does!" Spoke Father, and at his words, I stood so quickly that the chair I had been sitting on fell back. "Your father and I were talking about it just this morning." Replied father.

Glaring at the two men, I felt anger fill me. "You what?"

Sighing, Father turned to Matthew with a small smile. "I'm sure you can find the details off of your father?"

Getting the hint, Matthew nodded. Walking closer to me, Matthew gently gripped my arm. "I hope to see you soon, Annabelle. Can we meet tomorrow morning?"

Licking my now-dry lips, I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. From the edge of my vision, I could see Father nodding his head, trying to get me to say yes.

Sighing, I nodded. "Yes," I whispered.

Before I could say another word, I felt lips gently grace my cheek. It was quick, but I could feel the emotions he had poured into that simple touch. Feelings I wasn't about to reciprocate. He wanted my hand in marriage, but I wasn't about to accept his offer. I couldn't.

The very next morning I found myself standing in the trading area. In front of me, Matthew sat with a group of his friends. Each one of them seemed to be showing off their kills from the morning's hunt. As if sensing my eyes on him, Matthew turned his attention to me. Catching my gaze, Matthew handed his keep to one of his friends before jogging to me with a smile. I felt my heart sink as he neared. I felt like there was something else out there pulling me towards it.

Sucking in my pride, I felt Matthews's hands grasp my arms, pulling me towards his father's shop. Inside, Matthew's father, Nathan, was cutting up a large deer. Blood covered the table as the poor animal's insides hung dangerously off the edge of the table, causing me to gag at the sight. The sight was gruesome, guts and skin laid all over the floor, almost as if it were to be forgotten.

"Annabelle?" Came Nathan's gruff voice. Stabbing the knife down into the wooden table, he faced me with a bright smile. "It's so good to see you again." Turning to his son, Nathan's smile widened. "Here to collect her gift?"

Confused I gazed up at Matthew. "Gift?"

Nodding, Matthew walked towards a large box. "I had been hunting a few days ago and came across a black bear." Pulling the lid off the box, I watched as he lifted out a large cloak. "I skinned it and decided to turn it into a cloak for you." He spoke. Holding out the material, I made sure to keep my eyes on him. "I didn't want you to catch a cold like last winter." He whispered.

Sighing, I took a step closer. "Thank you, but-."

"No," he said, cutting me off. "Please just take my gift. I want you to know I can provide for you." He whispered. Nervously flicking his gaze to his father and then back to me, Matthew walked closer.

I knew if I didn't take the gift rumours would spread around the town. Nodding, I placed the cloak around my shoulders. The fur was almost pitch black, and for some reason unknown to me, my mind raced back to the world I had seen in the forest only three years ago. Forcing a smile, I thanked him.

After giving an excuse that I had to study to attend, I said my goodbyes. Quickly leaving the shop, I relished in the fresh air that filled my lungs. The walk home felt longer than usual. The festival was in just two days, and the closer it got the more I felt like my father was trying everything to push his decision onto me. Whatever he was planning, I knew he was doing it out of protection for me.

Too bad I wasn't about to let that happen.