Seraphina gave him a shy smile before she peeled back the wrapped parcels. Dante bit his lip, wondering for a wild moment if she would like them. He frowned at the realization that he cared too much for her acceptance of his selections. Her fingers touched the fabric of the tunic and he watched her inspect it. There was a small smile on her face. He nodded his head in relief and satisfaction.
She did not even grimace when she held up the trousers, but her eyes widened as she came across the belt. Her fingers touched the shimmery crystals adorning her belt and she gazed up at him.
"This must have cost you quite a sum," she whispered. "These are sapphires from the Sapphire River. Legend has it, they are supposed to be able to summon and distort water."
He smirked at that. "It is not a legend. If you practice, you will be able to do just that." Her mouth dropped open in surprise as she looked down at the belt again. "I can teach you," he promised. "I have sapphires from the Sapphire River in the handle of my sword."
"You have done it?" she gasped. He nodded, fighting back a smile at her childlike awe. "I do not believe I can master it like you can."
"It just takes time. Do not worry. I can train you to become a little warrior." He chuckled when she gave him a doubtful look. "I have trained a lot of warriors, Seraphina."
"Exactly. Warriors."
"You will never know if you have the heart and skills of a warrior unless you try." He watched the young Elvish healer smiled slightly then sighed. "How about a lesson now?"
Those honey eyes poured into his with surprise. He wondered if she realized that they glowed in the flames of the fire. Nervously, she glanced around and looked outside.
"Is it not getting late?" she whispered. Sadness tinged her usually happy voice. What thoughts did she harbor to change a shift in her mood so quickly? "Do you not have somewhere to be upon your last night here?"
He raised an eyebrow at that. "Am I supposed to elsewhere?"
She blushed at that and stumbled over her words. "Oh, I-I am just assuming you have- have more im-important things to do then-"
"How about you change into your new clothes?" he suggested, cutting through her explanation.
She bit her lip. "I can do that."
Slowly, she rose to her feet, grabbing her bundle of clothes before she made her way into another room in the cottage. Assuming it was her bed chambers, he tried not to contemplate the vision of her stripping out of her clothing. He heard the rustling of fabric. Torturous moments later, she stepped back out into the main area of her cottage.
His eyes feasted upon the woman. Perhaps, he had always preferred ladies in useful clothing? The garments he bought her looked like they are made for her. He found she looked more like herself in them. She was beautiful to him no matter what she wore, but she looked more at ease.
"It suits you," he murmured.
She beamed. "I do like them -- the clothes."
"Good."
He swallowed thickly at the joy upon her face. His gifts have her that much emotion. He was trying not her overwhelmed by how much it pleased him. He beckoned her over. She walked over to him and he adjusted her belt when she was close enough. His eyes burned into hers as his fingers slipped into the fabric and tugged a little. She blushed when his hands lightly shifted the fabric of the tunic so the slits of the garment were in a better placement.
"Thank you," she whispered.
His eyes continued to gaze into hers. "Come on, little warrior." He smirked as she lit up. "Let us begin. Come outside."
He walked through the labyrinth back to the fountain. Although there were elves still within the gardens, partaking in evening strolls or conversations, he was not affected by the curious eyes. She blushed at the obvious attention she and himself were garnering.
Smirking, Dante approached her, sliding behind her to whisper in her ear. "First lesson," he told her. "They are not here. You must focus on yourself, but also be aware of your surroundings. Remember, you are in control. You must balance your focus and attention"
She turned around to face him and backed up slightly when she realized how close he was. She almost fell backward into the water if his reflexes instinctively caused him to grab her and pull her against him. He glanced down at her for a moment before he quickly pushed her back around and helped her up on the fountain wall.
When she steadied herself, he joined her upon the wall. He waited until she faced him again. Honey eyes gazed up into his as she waited for guidance.
"You know how you heal with energy?" he asked her. When she nodded, he continued: "You bring forth the energy of a plant by envisioning it. It is the same idea. I want you to visualize the water rising up from the fountain."
Seraphina paused for a moment before she took a deep breath as she faced the fountain. He watched and waited while she concentrated on his guidance. After a few moments had passed, the water rose up from the fountain to his shock. That actually took less time he believed it would as he stared in awe at her immediate progress.
She was a blessed natural, he realized as the water began to dance. Droplets and streams seemed to leap into the air and dart across the surface. As her imagination soared so did the intricate patterns upon the surface and above it.
"I see that did not take too long," he said, drawing her attention. She smiled. "Now let us test reflexes."
Without warning, he visualized a sword of water coming at her. She stumbled back startled by the attack and a shield of water darted up from the water to block the sword. He smirked at the frown upon her face.
"I did not say I would take it easy," he said as water shards emerged from the water as he walked about the perimeter of the wall. "Come on, little warrior. Show me exactly who you are."
He released the shards and they flew at her full speed. She put her hand out as if to physically block the water, but the shards stopped in mid air. Startled by that, he quickly visualized a stream of water coming at her and she put out her other hand to block that as well.
Honey eyes darted towards him and there was a familiar intensity within before she reversed the water back at him shards and stream. His little warrior just went in for an attack. He smirked at that as he imagined the water was stopped in mid air and then he allowed the water to drop back down in the fountain. Impressed, his eyes met hers again and she looked at him hopefully.
"Did I pass?" she asked
He frowned. Oh, yes. The lesson. "You did both a defensive maneuver and a counterattack. I believe it is quite obvious you passed."
She flushed at the praise. When he watched her bite her bottom lip nervously, he wanted to grab her and kiss away that habit. Instead, he jumped down and then offered up a hand to her so she could come down as well. She took his hand. Now it was his turn to bite his bottom lip as the feel of her skin against his made him think of how he desired to strip off her new tunic from her body. He imagined all the things he could do to her.
He wondered if she had allowed anyone to touch her. There was only one elf that came to mind - Aaron. The thought of the two of them together ignited both anger and searing pain that slowly shifted to the cold realization that her heart would never belong to him even if he tried. He was certain those two souls would meet again and he would not be in their way.
As he escorted Seraphina back to the labyrinth to lead her back to the cottage, his eyes caught Vylot scowling at him from up on the porch balcony. Perhaps, he just needed new scenery and fresh faces. This new job would help him travel Tempest Elysium and allow him to be of service so he could occupy himself wholeheartedly with his work instead of dangerously obsessing over the state of his heart.