Arianna watched as Cassis took the carving knife and the offered piece of wood from her hands and quietly retreated into himself. She'd helped Liam get wood sticks for their meat skewers and seen this lying around. She'd taken it back with her simply because Cassis had always done so in the other timeline. Now she was glad she'd automatically done that. He needed this. The infuriating man. She really did have a soft spot for him—and for his idiocy and stubbornness, apparently. She was still angry at him for that earlier stunt but she understood why he'd done it and she understood his confusion right now. Truly. But understanding didn't mean she would put up with that attitude.

The sudden appearance of a peaceful, sentient monster, now called a companion, had shaken him. It was strange for her, too. She'd seen what monsters could do, seen the devastation they brought resulting in the collapse of society. Cities burning, entire populations overrun, everything spiralling into chaos.

But she had seen it. Cassis had lived it.

He had fought them. Bled because of them. Lost everyone he loved because of them.

So while this development was surprising to her, for him it must have felt like the world had twisted in on itself again. That's why she'd given him the knife. Carving was his way of coping. She'd watched him do it so many times in the other timeline. It was the only peaceful act he'd allowed himself in a life built on blood and survival.

And she loved watching him carve. Those hands—the same ones that gripped a sword with brutal precision—were now tracing the grain of the wood with almost reverent focus. The same fingers that could end lives were shaping something gentle, something whole. He needed this moment.

And if he was carving, that meant he trusted her to keep watch. That he could afford to drop his guard. That she had his back. So she stayed still, eyes scanning the clearing, letting the quiet of the camp settle around her.

The others were warming up to the foxes. Felicia giggled as the fox cub batted at her hands, while Matteo and Liam were cautiously petting the mother fox's thick fur. The little bit of tension everyone had been feeling was fading, the night softening. Arianna itched to pet the fox too, but she wouldn't move. Not now. Cassis had gone quiet in that way that made him defenseless. He was vulnerable, even if he didn't look it. She wouldn't leave him exposed.

Her gaze swept the camp, doing a quick count of everyone. Marcus was watching Cassis, brow furrowed with concern. Their eyes met. Arianna gave a subtle shake of her head—not now. He needed time, not questions. Marcus nodded, though his eyes lingered on his son with a puzzled expression, like he was trying to read something he didn't fully understand. Arianna noted it but didn't ask. Danielle and Helen had caught the silent exchange and offered Arianna small nods before returning to their conversation with the fox. Helen was asking her about finding more of those stealth bushes they'd encountered earlier. And to everyone's amazement, the fox nodded.

Camden, too, had been watching Cassis. His gaze shifted to Arianna, brows drawn together. He looked confused, maybe even a little unsettled. He had probably never seen Cassis like this. But judging by his parents' reactions, this wasn't new. Cassis had likely retreated like this as a child or teen, too. Arianna just hoped Camden wouldn't misread it. Their relationship had improved lately. Fighting side by side had changed something between the two men, but trust could be fragile.

Still, Camden wasn't her concern right now. Cassis was. He was still seated next to her, quietly carving, the firelight catching the edges of the wood as he worked. She couldn't quite tell yet what he was shaping, but he'd get there. He always did. The group relaxed into an easy rhythm over the next hour or two. Soft conversation drifted around the campfire. The fox and her cub were slowly, almost imperceptibly, becoming part of the group. Eventually, Felicia yawned for the fifth time. Danielle gently nudged her toward the tent, and the mother fox helped by nosing her in the right direction like a second, fur-covered parent.

The fox paused at the flap, sniffing it with suspicion, as if she couldn't believe humans would consider such flimsy fabric adequate for a den. Helen, with her calm practicality, assured the fox that this was safe and that someone would keep watch all night. The fox seemed to accept that. She picked up her cub by the scruff and padded into the tent. A few moments later, she reemerged and sat in front of it, silent, alert, protective. Matteo wanted to keep watch too, but Helen gently talked him down, promising that when he turned fourteen, he'd be counted as a full member of the group. Watch duty included.

Since Cassis was still carving, Arianna volunteered them for the first watch. She could easily do it alone with her awareness spread out, and he could keep carving. No one objected. One by one, the others slipped into their tents, the fire burning low, the night wrapping around them like a heavy blanket.

The mother fox lay down at the mouth of the children's tent. She didn't sleep, not really, just rested, half-aware, ears twitching every so often. Arianna stayed where she was, quiet and still. Watching. Guarding. Beside her, Cassis kept carving. And for a little while longer, the world was at peace.

The watch passed quietly. Uneventful. Peaceful. Arianna hadn't cast a water barrier. Most things in this forest couldn't hurt them, and it would be good practice for everyone keeping watch. She or some other cleric wouldn't always be there. They needed to practice now. Eventually, Cassis stirred. The trance-like focus faded from his eyes as he blinked and took a deeper breath, as if returning from far away. He shifted, subtly vanishing something into his inventory. Arianna caught the movement. She raised an eyebrow.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

He gave her a small, calm smile. "It's not finished yet."

That made her smile in return. Of course. He'd always been that way, refusing to show her any carving until it was complete.

"Okay," she said softly. "Then let's wake your parents. It's their turn."

She made to rise, but Cassis gently reached out and caught her arm. She paused, looking down at him in question.

"Sorry," he said.

His voice was quiet. Uncertain.

"I know I've been strange lately. And I know I've been confusing you."

He looked down, avoiding her eyes. Arianna's heart stilled. Something about his tone sent a ripple through her.

"There's something I haven't told you," he said. "Something that happened in the other timeline. When I was alone."

His hand clenched slightly on her arm.

"I can't… I can't tell you right now. I want to, but I just … I can't."

Then he looked up. The raw despair in his eyes caught her off guard.

"But I will," he said. "Soon. Please be patient with me. Please… don't leave me."

The way he looked at her, like she held his life in her hands, stole her breath. What could the secret be? Was this why he'd been distant, why he hadn't let their relationship move forward? Where did that despair come from? She couldn't imagine what secret it could be. If it were something really bad, would she feel anger or frustration? Sure. But leave him? Never. He didn't know that?

"Okay," she said, her voice steady despite the storm in her chest. "I'll be patient. That's a promise."

Some of the tension eased from his shoulders.

"But that doesn't mean I won't be angry with you."

His eyes widened slightly.

"Like when you decide your life is disposable enough to take a near-fatal hit just to end a fight faster."

He opened his mouth, but she raised her hand. "No. Don't argue. Just imagine for one moment that I had done the same thing. How would you feel?"

His expression shifted. Something clicked.

"Exactly," she said. "You forget that I care about your pain, not just your injuries."

She hesitated, hands suddenly trembling. She pressed them together tightly to still them. Her heart was racing. But she met his eyes. She needed him to see it, to hear it.

"I love you."

His eyes widened, impossibly wide. He stared at her, unmoving. Not blinking. Not even breathing. Arianna felt laughter bubbling in her throat. This was so far from the romantic confession she'd imagined as a teenager. But it had its own charm—awkward, intense, and so very them.

Still, he didn't move. Just sat there like she'd cast some kind of paralysis spell. She smothered her giggles, leaned forward, cupped the side of his face, and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. That broke the spell.

"I—" he began.

But she slid her hand from his cheek over his lips, silencing him.

"It's okay," she said. "Just think it through. I don't need an answer right now."

She stood up, turning away before her nerves could get the better of her. The mother fox was watching them. Arianna gave her a grin. Then, to Cassis: "I'll wake your parents and then head to sleep. Take all the time you need."

Her heart was pounding, but it felt lighter now. Like something long trapped had finally been released. Now he knew. Really knew. And now it was his turn.

Arianna woke up happy. Truly, blissfully happy. The night had been calm, her dreams light. She felt rested, warm, and—finally—at peace. But the warmth faded the moment she turned and found the sleeping bag beside her empty.

No Cassis. Her brow furrowed. She'd been so sure he'd come in later, crawl in beside her, maybe wrap his arms around her like he usually did. Hadn't her confession meant something? Why hadn't he come?

Then she heard a soft rustle of movement behind her. Turning her head, she spotted him. Cassis sat cross-legged just inside the tent flap, looking like he'd slept in that exact position the whole night. That aggravating man. Why had he just sat there like some statue instead of snuggling up?

When he noticed her gaze, he gave her a shy, almost boyish, "Good morning." She couldn't help but smile. Maybe he'd felt too awkward after what she'd said last night. Maybe the weight of her words had overwhelmed him.

Still…

She sat up, shifting to face him fully. He met her eyes and took a steadying breath. Then, without any lead-in or hesitation, he picked up the thread from the night before. "I love you, too."

Simple words. But his voice was tight with emotion. Then, with a hint of nervousness, he reached out and placed two small, smooth objects in her hand. Arianna looked down and her heart trembled. The first was a tiny figurine, no bigger than her palm. The mother fox and her cub, curled up together in peaceful rest. He had carved it last night. While working through his thoughts. While trying to understand, to accept.

"I'm trying," he said quietly. "I'm not there yet. But I'm trying."

The second object was also carved last night but different from the figurine. Thin. Small, the size of a pendant. Rounded edges. It was a heart. Made of wood, but with a silver-like sheen to it and warm to the touch. Had he used his fire mana to give it that colour and warmth? On the back, he had carved their names. Just the two of them.

"My heart," he said, eyes not quite meeting hers. "You've had it for quite some time now. I just thought… maybe you'd like a physical representation."

Tears stung her eyes instantly. Her heart swelled so quickly, so painfully full, she almost couldn't breathe. Love. Joy. Relief. Surprise. It all came crashing over her at once. She had once thought he couldn't be romantic. That maybe that part of him had been burned out by everything he'd endured. But this—this was the single most romantic thing anyone had ever done for her.

He gave her his heart. Literally. She couldn't speak. Couldn't think. Instead, she slid to her knees, then launched herself into his arms. Cassis caught her, held her tightly, his arms like a shelter around her.

"I love you," he whispered again.

"I love you too," she murmured into his neck, her voice cracking with the force of it.

The emotions were too big. Too overwhelming. Too much. But in the best possible way.

And then, their lips found each other. The kiss started soft, gentle, as if they were still afraid to shatter the moment. But it deepened quickly, turning from sweet to hungry, hands exploring, breaths catching.

And just as it was starting to turn into something more—

"Everyone up! Breakfast is ready!" Danielle's voice rang out.

Arianna groaned and let her forehead fall onto Cassis's shoulder. "Your mom has the worst timing. That's the third time this has happened."

Cassis chuckled softly, though his eyes turned serious again a moment later.

"I still haven't told you the secret," he said. "And I don't want you to hate me for letting this—us—happen before you know everything."

Arianna studied his face. What was he imagining? What could be so bad that he feared she'd leave him? She couldn't picture anything that would make her turn away. Not now. Not from him. So she gave him a nod. Not pushing. Not yet. He'd tell her when he was ready. Eventually. And when that day came, yes—maybe she'd be angry. Maybe it would hurt. But she'd still be there. Still love him. Because this man, this silly, broken, stubborn man, was hers. And she loved him. Maybe because of all that. Maybe despite it. But no matter what, she wasn't going anywhere.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.