It was dark, and even Aife's crimson red orbs weren't enough to lighten this pitch blackness. A numb ache pulsed in her head as she warily fluttered her eyes open.
"Sh… She is awake!" A melodic voice poured into her being as she raised her head.
"Careful, sweetheart. You don't want to lose all your powers, do you?"
Someone slipped their hand under Aife's neck to assist her as she snapped out of her daze. The orange-haired man genuinely smiled down at her as Aife glanced at his bare, brawny chest.
"Lay off!"
Aife jolted up and glared at Faum as his corners of eyes and lips turned downwards.
"Aife," he stood up along her as he had extended his arms as if taming a feral beast, "nobody is going to hurt you."
"Aife," in the middle of the dark forest, a sweet sound was resonated as Aife's gaze followed the movement. Kita was standing beside Se and shooting her a reassuring smile.
Her features softened, and the corners of her lips tugged upwards, eyes half-lidded as the pressure was just too much.
"Seriously?" Faum asked in disbelief with lifted eyebrows. The boy had to make this little effort for her to cool down. It wasn't fair, but Faum would never give up.
He shrugged it off and faced her again with a gentle expression, "Aife, look, I'll protect you from whoever you are running from, just help me regain my full abilities, and you'll be blown away."
Aife observed him as the demon had abnormal and undoubted sincerity in his voice, eyes, solid arms, and veiny hands.
Oddly, Aife felt comfortable and safe as he approached her. The warrior was about to take the help Faum was offering since Aife knew nothing about her past nor her enemies. Faum smiled, pleased with her docile state but was taken aback when something came to her as Aife fainted again. This time as well, she felt strong pair of arms catch her before she met the ground.
Aife groaned as she once again batted her eyes several times before she fully opened them. Kita was towering her, worry written on the soft lines of his face. Se, too, seemed disturbed at her lack of resolution, which usually scared him.
"Aife," he murmured as the woman paid him attention.
She smiled at the serpent to let him know she felt better. But where was that wicked demon?
A gasp left her lips as she looked down, dazed. Two familiar arms were curled around her in a stable grip. Aife turned her head back and was met by the sweetest and most enchanting scene she had ever witnessed.
Her heart skipped, and she gawked at Faum, awe-struck. The demon was sleeping soundly with his head leaned on the tree and tilted. His collarbones and delicate neck were on display for her as she lay on his chest, between his long legs.
Se and Kita exchanged gazes filled with anticipation before Se turned to the warrior:
"Aife, Faum transmitted his energy to you, aiming to supply you. You lost a lot of it since the demon leaving his vessel's body for the first time takes enormous energy and self-control. And, it happened without the vessel's, in this case, your permission. So it was a huge load on your body. "
Aife's eyes barely left Farm's peaceful face as her neck started to hurt from the awkward angle. She faced Se with a puzzled expression that was cute in Kita's eyes.
"You shouldn't have hopped up and pulled that stunt off. Now rest. Faum, too is drained from the energy. He felt guilty for your state."
Aife didn't respond or inquire; she just let herself relax in someone's arms for the first time in her life. Aife rested on Faum's solid chest that was rising up and down softly, soothing her. Her whole being was shattering at the closeness to Faum.
Se and Kita looked at each other with playful glints in their eyes as they chuckled inaudibly.
"Awake already?" A hoarse voice made shivers run up and down Aife's spine as she stiffened and made the man behind him groan, "Don't move too much, sweetheart. Kid's too young for the upcoming scene."
Aife's eyes shot open as she wriggled in his vice-like grasp but never attempted to hurt him. A deep chuckle vibrated in his chest, causing her to flinch and sweat in an unrecognizable sensation. Aife's tummy did flips at his presence. Faum loosened his grip, and Aife jumped up.
"My mate is beautiful," Faum murmured at her with knotted eyebrows and a smirk playing on his lips. The fangs were evident as he showed off his pearly whites.
Kita giggled as Se was admiring and favouring the couple beside the tree.
"Stop that!" Aife bared her teeth at him.
Faum just chuckled with his head bent down at her outcome.
"Food's ready!" Kita called out to them as a delicious smell filled their nostrils.
"Kita?" Aife asked, dumbfounded, "How much did I miss out?"
"Just a bit," Se smiled at her as he helped Kita arrange the bowls for the soup, "Faum got the necessary things from that castle, and I instructed Kita."
"I see."
Faum raised to his feet, towering them as he was far taller than everyone there. Aife kept a safe distance from him, at which he just smiled silently.
During the dinner, every time she gazed at Faum, he was staring back, savoring the sight before him.
Of course, Aife groaned at his weird stalking and dug into her meal.
"Okay," Se started with enthusiasm," let's get to know each other."
Aife narrowed her eyes at him knowing full well his intentions. Se just sweated himself for Faum and her to get closer.
Faum just grinned. They both had a fair amount of questions for each other.