"Is this love," Eliana questions herself as she brushes locks of Jasper's hair away from his forehead. He is still sweating profusely, so most of his body is drenched."No, it could not possibly be." Right? Eliana caresses his features with her eyes, running the length of his jawline and his thick brow, reveling in how perfect it is. His lips, plump and bright red from the fever, are open just slightly enough in order for him to breathe from it. His eyelashes are thick and full, hugging his cheeks beautifully.Envy bites at Eliana's heart before it is taken over by a fluttering heat."I mean, what other reason could explain my excessive reaction when he was injured in battle, or my obsession with making sure he is safe?" She ponders all of this to herself, not quite sure what to believe."What are you thinking about as you stare at me."Jasper's sudden voice shatters Eliana's reverie, causing her to jump back, landing on her bad ankle. She winces and tumbles to the ground."Elian

Olisnia's small boat creaks as she nears the shore. She breathes in deeply, a profound ache of missing home vibrates through her body.Although her trajectory was originally for Murduk, even her abilities are useless in the raging waters. She knows she is in Climont by the violet flags whipping in the wind. It will not be easy for her to travel within this country.As though to reinforce this, as her boat docks and she jumps off onto the pier, a horde of heavily clad soldiers make their way toward her. They push a few bystanders away, so that they are not deterred."Good day," she states first as they halt in front of her.The urge to sigh builds in her chest, but she pushes it back down."Where have you come from, outsider," the man in the front demands.Olisnia does not answer, eyeing the men.Irritation twitching at the soldier's brow, he growls out, "I will not repeat myself."One of the men behind him, leans in, half whispering, "Sir, she is a—""I know what she is," he w

Eliana sits on the small cot, her mind zoning out. "Am I not even allowed to go check on Jasper?" The thought of him has her entire body crying out with anguish.Tears blind her, even though there is nothing to even look at, in this small structure."I wonder if Evyn will tell mama Beatrice and papa Conrad about the Chief meeting with me.""Milady," a voice breaks through her reverie and she locks eyes with the clan's healer. He bows his head. "I have come to tend to you. I must look at your ankle."He places a few sacks of unknown substances on a small table."May I," he shows his hands, palms up, waiting for approval.Eliana only nods, her heart tightening with anxiety. He approaches slowly, his long hair swaying with his movements."How does he treat his wives" she blurts out as the healer kneels down in front of her.He is taken aback momentarily, his dark eyes widening. As they sit in silence for a while, his shoulders finally begin to relax. "The Chief is very kind to his

Jasper's shoulders dip at her response. His heart warms, "Thank you," he says under his breath.It takes a moment for him to realize the position they are in. Eliana is so close to him, that the heat of her body causes his skin to itch. Every nerve stands on end, wanting to get closer. He opens his mouth to speak once more, his gaze lingering on her lips as she bites it. He slides his hand from her cheek to the back of her head, and then is reminded of his mother's words."It does not matter what you feel, she is a human. It will never work between the two of you. You are from two different worlds."Swallowing all of his emotions, Jasper steps away, reluctantly, "You should change out of that. It will be hard to maneuver through the trees."Eliana glances down at herself before looking at her other set of clothes, "Uh, I was helped into this dress." She murmurs, her ears turning a bright red.Jasper watches her for a moment, lost in her image, before he understands what she has sa

"You need to constantly keep your weight grounded," Jasper explains, tapping his own waist for emphasize.Eliana nods, spreading her legs slightly so that they are roughly shoulder length apart. She takes turns putting pressure on each side. Her ankle is not hurting much."It has been almost three days, are you sure we should be wasting our time training like this," she asks, rolling her shoulders. "Should we not be trying to outrun the Climont soldiers?"Jasper nods, straightening his posture before moving to her side. "Correct, but we are at least a day's journey ahead of them. We can take a small amount of time to make sure you can protect yourself the next time they come."Eliana nods, but is emotionally shaken, as Jasper touches her wrist. The gasp builds in her chest and escapes before she can control it.Jasper pauses for a moment, silence overtaking them both.Clearing her throat, Eliana composes herself, "What happens if the attackers are Pivurlion? Surely I cannot defen