“How did you find me?” Lily asked, daring to look at him from the corner of her eyes.

“I heard the canu.” Lux only half-lied.

He tracked the canu using another one of his tricks. A benefit of his job was being able to use the canu, and he could psychically link with them. He could see what they saw, but so could any of the other peccati or even Valefor, if they chose to check in with this pack. Anyone of them could find out that he’d intervened to save Lily.

They really ought to start moving, but she was too exhausted to go on the run right now. She needed to rest, and he’d worry about what Valefor made of everything when the time came. For now, her safety was his top priority.

“What are the canu?” Lily looked at him curiously.

“Demon dogs,” Lux replied vaguely. He didn’t want to explain them to her, how they served his master, and even Lux himself. The canu tracked and hunted anything the peccati or Valefor wanted, and canu protected them from their enemies.

“How did you chase them away?” Lily asked.

“Magic,” Lux smiled at her, hoping to distract her from realizing he hadn’t really answered the question. “How are you feeling?”

“Much, much better. Thank you.” She smiled then looked away. “I must look frightful.”

“No, you look beautiful,” Lux said seriously.

“I doubt that!” Lily laughed, a wonderful sound that sent warm shivers all through him. She knelt down at the brook’s edge, splashing cold water on her face to clean herself up.

“Do you feel well enough to walk?” Lux asked once she’d finished washing her face and arms.

“I think so,” she nodded.

Lux stood up first and held his hand out to her to help her up. As soon as she touched him, that same wonderful feeling rolled through him. She stood in front of him, staring up at him with her dark blue eyes. Her skin always felt so cool against his warm hands. A strand of hair stuck to her damp cheek, and he brushed it back, letting his hand linger there. He wanted to kiss her more than anything, but he was afraid if he started, he’d never stop.

“We should get going.” He dropped his hand from her cheek and stepped away from her. He still held her hand so he could help her up the embankment, but he had to put some distance between the two of them. He’d never utilized restraint before, and he didn’t know how well he’d do with it.

“Yes, of course,” Lily said, like she understood what he meant.

She slipped a few times climbing up the embankment, but Lux blamed it on the muddy incline. When she got to the top, he started walking forward, and she nearly collapsed, falling heavily into his arms. Her knees just gave out underneath her.

“Sorry,” Lily whispered, leaning against him. She smelled of flowers and fresh spring water, and Lux held her in his arms for a moment before steadying her and helping her stand on her own.

“You need to rest,” Lux said, and looked up.

The moon sat high in the sky, so it was still several hours before dawn. He’d bought them some time by chasing the canu away. It’d be a few hours before they got back to Valefor, and then he’d have to mount a counterattack. They could use the time to get a jumpstart, but Lily was too weak, and he had to do what was best for her.

“Come on.” Lux kept his arm around her waist and led her over to a massive tree. “You need to get some sleep before we can continue.”

“Are you sure that’s safe?” Lily looked around.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” Lux assured her, and he meant it.

“I know.” Lily smiled at him in a way that melted his heart. Sleeping in the Necrosilvam in the middle of the night sounded deadly, but somehow, she felt safe with Lux.

The roots of the tree sprung out of the ground, creating a perfect little nook. Lux took off Lily’s cloak and spread it over the dirt like a blanket. He slipped off his jacket, then sat down on the ground, leaning back against the trunk of the tree. Lily curled up next to him, laying her head on his chest and draping her arm over him. He took his jacket and covered her up with it. When he wrapped his arm around her, she nestled into him.

In that moment, Lux felt complete for the first time. He hadn’t even realized anything was missing until he met her, but now, with her curled up in his arms, her hair tickling against his chin, he couldn’t imagine existing without her.

Within moments, Lily fell sound asleep, comforted and content in the safety of his embrace. Lux forced himself to stay awake for much longer, savoring every second with her.

9

His neck hurt from the way he’d been sleeping, and he yawned and stretched out his arms. It wasn’t until he felt the empty space beside him that he realized something terribly important was missing. Lux opened his eyes to the morning sun, and she was gone.

“Lily?” His heart had already beat itself into a frenzy. He jumped to his feet and looked around, but he didn’t see anything. No sign of her, of canu, of anything. “Lily?”

His mouth felt dry, and his stomach twisted in knots. He ran a hand through his hair and tried not to think the worst. He never should’ve slept. He never should’ve closed his eyes. Lily had become the most important thing in his life, and he fell asleep while Valefor had come and stolen her.

“Lily!” Lux didn’t even trying to hide the panic in his voice.

“I’m right here,” Lily said, sounding like a beautiful melody to his ears.

Her head appeared over the embankment as she climbed up it, her arms full of red berries. As soon as he saw her, Lux started to run toward her, but realizing he looked like a maniac, he settled for a brisk walk. She wore his jacket, with the sleeves rolled up to keep them from drowning her hands. She had tied her long dark waves in a loose braid and wound small white flowers through it. 

“I went to collect berries for breakfast.” Lily gave him a perplexed look when he reached her. “Why do you look so frightened?”

“I don’t know.” He smiled, breathing a sigh of relief. He put his hand on her shoulder, just to make sure she was real. “I couldn’t find you.”

“Well, I’m right here.” She smiled at his concern, looking so beautiful and sweet and happy, his heart seemed to swell and grow.

“So you are,” Lux said quietly, and she laughed.

He couldn’t contain himself any longer. He put his hand on her waist and pulled her to him, then pressed his lips to hers. Her mouth tasted of cold berries, and her body felt soft against his. She dropped the fruit and wrapped her arms around his neck. He kissed her hungrily, fighting to keep himself in check.