Several days had passed since the incident on the field, the kiss.
Mathew was annoyed, whined and gave us orders every second, in addition it had been raining all day and everyone was in a bad mood.
My heart ached, Leon had been avoiding me ever since the ally, moved away from me as soon as I came close and he even turned away when I looked at him. I tried to think of something else, but I couldn't, Daniel was right, I was in love with Leon and no matter how much I tried to push the feelings away, it where still there. I repeated Daniel's words to myself,
"I've seen how you two look at each other."
Had I been wrong? What was Leon trying to say in the alley that day?
We sat by the campfire again, everyone were soaked and eating the food we had been given. Bread and broth was offered, but nobody complained knowing Patric was doing his best with small rations. When we finished eating and everyone went back to their chores, I took the opportunity to retrieved my hunting bow and snuck off into the woods. I knew I didn't have to sneak, they saw me as I walked off but I didn't feel like talking to anyone. I was already on my way when Daniel gave Leon a sign to follow me, he nodded in response and was only a few steps behind.
I tracked through the forest, focused on my task. It felt good to be out there again with my bow and doing things I knew I was skilled at. I wanted to contribute and come back with food. But I had been walking for almost an hour without seeing the slightest sign of life.
Daylight had turned into darkness and the air was raw and chilly now. Stubborn and determined to continue, I walked among moss and ferns. A pitiful little hare hung in my belt, but it wasn't much food for all of us and I needed more.
I stoped as I heard a noice, grunting sounds. I sneaked forward and noticed a wild boar.
I knew they could be aggressive and difficult to kill, and it was too much food for us to handle right now. As I got closer I saw that it was a sow and several piglets. She would do anything to defend her kids, so I decided to leave them alone.
I turned to take another path and not scare the animals but jumped in surprise when I saw Leon standing right behind me, so close that I could feel his breath against my skin and yet I had not heard him.
He put his index finger to his lips and grabbed my arm to guide me away. I followed him as quietly as possible. He stopped and looked back, I wanted to ask what was going on but didn't dare. Something about him told me there where trouble ahead.
He looked up at the treetops and gave me a signal to climb, without questioning him I did as I was told and Leon was right behind me. I stoped when I reached perfect branch to sit on, but Leon motioned me to go even higher.
An unpleasant feeling spread within me. What was going on? It was hardly wild boar we hid from.
Once we had climbed as high as we could, he moved to sit next to me and put his arm around my waist, my heart skipped a beat and it felt like I couldn't breathe. His mouth approached my ear and I could feel his warm breath, his neck so close to my mouth and all I could think of was the wonderful scent from his skin and I really had to concentrate to hear his low whisper.
"Don't move, we're being followed."
I follow his gaze to see men in dark coats searching the forest. They were at least fifty and I realized we wouldn't have a chance against them even if the other knights were here.
The closer they got, the more my hands began to shake. It annoyed me, I used to be a calm person not frightened and dependent of others. But this was different, I was chased as a prey and completely out of control of the situation.
Leon looked down at my hands, his grip on my waist hardened and he wrapped his cloak around us like camouflage. I heard their faint voices as they walked around looking for our tracks.
We sat there for so long my body started to ache and I shook from the cold. But even though they had combed the forest, they didn't give in, instead they made camp not far from us and I realised that we had to stay there for a while. Finally I felt weak and tired, I leaned my head against Leon's shoulder, my eyelids feel heavy and soon I fell asleep.
....
Leon felt her body grow heavier and heard her breath become calm and even. She was sleeping. With his back leaning against the tree trunk, he took another look at Evelyn's body and carefully moved her to lean steady against his chest. He could feel the sweet sent from her wonderful curly red hair that he loved so much. Love? He sighed to himself, he thought she felt the same, why else had she thrown her arms around him on the meadow? Apparently just something she did in the heat of the moment, she had even acknowledged it in the alley. Ripping out his heart right there and then and stomped on it.
With a sigh he looked around, it was pitch black in the forest and it was time to move, if they were to succeed, they had to do it now.
He shook Evelyn lightly and whispered in her ear.
"Eve, it's time .. we have to climb down."
***
Confused, I woke up with a jerk and realized that I was resting against Leon's body.
"Are you ready?"
I nodded briefly and reluctantly moved away from his warmth.
With planned movements we started to climb down.
Some men where on guard, but the forest was so dark they would never see us if we were quiet enough.
We had the advantage that both me and Leon were skilled hunters and well trained on moving soundless in woods. We said nothing but kept running through the forest for as long as we could before we finally dared to stop to catch our breath.
"We did it." Leon grinned at me.
"Which way is our camp?" I felt completely lost and had no idea where we were.
"We can't go back, they've probably got there before us."
He noticed my worried look and hurried to add that the others had probably left already.
"We'll meet them in the nearest village."
I nodded and we started walking again. Automatically I let my hand slip into his and our fingers intertwined.
"Don't lose me."
He smiled in response and his grip tightened.
"Never."
We walked through the forest and soon found a larger path. The sun began to rise, the rays shone down through the tree canopies and yesterday's raindrops sparkled in the sun. I took a deep breath and breathed in the lovely scent of the forest. My body began to relax and a small smile burst forth on my lips.
"I wish you could have stayed."
I looked surprised at Leon.
"It seems you were happy there, you had a good life with Daniel in the smithy and ehm, Ren? Was that his name?"
He kept his eyes on where we were going, hand in hand.
"I guess so."
"Guess?"
"I was happy. But if I were to go back there, I might not feel the same way again. Everyone is changing."
"Not everyone, Daniel is the same, even though I haven't met him in so many years he's the same man I knew back then."
"Just as stubborn." I laughed.
"You two act like real siblings."
"We are real siblings! It was he who took care of me, he's my family. Not some silly old king who sends away his only daughter!"
My voice is broken and I find it difficult to keep the emotions in control, we stop and he hesitates before closing me in his arms stroking my hair. Feeling his arms around me I cant hold back my tears anymore and I hide my face at his chest, I hug his body hard and shaking with tears. He stands there quietly and holds me and I cry until there are no tears left and I'm left completely exhausted. He lifts me up into his arms and carries me into the denser forest until he sits down with me in his lap.
"We rest here until dusk."
"I'm sorry."
"Why?"
"Because I behave like a child."
"It's okay to cry, I understand why everything feels hard, your life will be very different."
I follow the stitching on his leatherjacket with my index finger.
"You must be pretty tired of taking care of me all day longing for your wife and your life in the capital."
He laughed and lifted my chin so I looked him in the eyes.
"Eve, as exciting as my life is right now, here with you, it can't be compared to my boring everyday life at the castle."
"Really?"
"Really!" He laughed at my surprised look. "And I don't have a wife to entertain me either." He gave me a wink. " As I've gotten to know you I know you'll probably climb the walls Eve."
I drew a deep sigh. "You think?"
His words scared me a little but deep inside I was happier than I had been in a long time. Leon and I talked like we used to, completely relaxed and I felt comfortable in his company again.
He freed himself from me and got up. "Wait here, I'll find something to eat."
He left me by an old log, enjoying the sunshine and the birds' twittering until I fell asleep again with pure exhaustion.
When I woke up Leon was back, his cloak lay over me and he had made a fire with something looking like a hare or a rabbit frying over the flames. The smell of food made my mouth water.
"Have I slept long?"
Leon nodded in response.
"But what about you? You haven't slept in hours, you can rest for a while and I'll keep watch."
I got up and offered him the mantle.
"I'm fine, we have to move soon."
"We're ran all night Leon, rest while you can." I looked at him with determination and he laughed.
"Is that an order from the princess?"
I nodded and a wide smile spread across my face.
He left the fire and came to me and took the mantle.
"Don't eat it all."
I punched his shoulder playfully, but he just grinned at me before he left to lay down on the spot I just left.
I checked the meat, it seemed cooked and I tore it apart to taste it. The meat melted in my mouth and I took one more bite and another, then I realized what Leon meant earlier and I giggled to myself and looked at him. But he was already asleep.
I couldn't take my eyes off him, what had he meant in the alley? Did it matter? Why does everything have to be so complicated? Thoughts spun in my head as I looked at him. I couldn't let him slip away, determined I stepped forward and sat down next to him, laid my head against his shoulder and whispered quietly. "I'm happy here, right now with you."
I felt his arm moving behind my back and pulling my body closer to his, he held me tight like he was afraid of losing me.
I looked up at him but before I could say anything I was silenced by his lips.
My fingers moved through his thick hair, his lips parted and I did the same, encouraging a deep kiss. Our hands started to fumble with the belts and buttons.
I stopped thinking about my future, right now at this moment I was happy and I was going to enjoy it.
But then he suddenly stopped to look at me with concerned eyes.
"Its almost dark and it's time to go."
He got up and began to buckle his belt. Something was clearly troubling him and I couldn't stand the silence, so I go up to him to correct the buckle for him and at the same time I peered up at his face. He met my gaze.
"What's on your mind?" I tilted my head to the side a little.
"Is it true what you said?"
"I'm bad at lying." I teased
He rolled his eyes and put his hands on my hips to pull me closer to him.
"Leon" I looked at him seriously. "Everything that has happened lately made me confused, but I was lucky, without you I would have gone crazy." I laughed and his eyes softened. "It just took a little longer for me to sort out my feelings."
"But are you sure now?"
To strengthen my words, I wrapped my arms around his neck and looked deep into his eyes. "I'm happy when I'm with you."
He hugged me tight and I didn't want to let go.
"Come on, Eve, we have to go."
Suddenly he let go of me, took my hand and pulled me with a jerk.
"They found us! We stayed too long."
I heard the frustration in his voice, he was certainly angry with himself that he had been so careless.
We ran through the woods. Stumbled across logs and shrubs and I got my face lashed by branches. My legs ached from the effort but we continued at the same pace until we reached a road.
Leon breathed violently as he ran a bit in front of me and almost pulled me after him.
"The road will surely lead to a village, come on!"
We rushed to safety, hoping that no one would attack us openly in a village and as we got closer to the houses we could slow down and finally catch our breaths.
"Are you okay?"
I didn't answer but thumped him on the upper arm.
"Leon, look!"
He followed my finger and we both recognised the horses outside a tavern.
"They are here!"
With big smiles and quick steps, we hurry there, but before we entered the in he stoped me.
"Wait."
I looked thoughtfully at him but smiled as he moved in for a kiss. As our lips parted he smiled playful "after you your highness" then held the door open for me and we stepped into the poorly lit room of the tavern.