e's

ching in my throat and causing in

I'm playing

I don't

way. But you will very soon," he s

with you," I said, loo

force you, Bl

ring of my heart and his hushed breathing. I had no idea what to do or whom to put my t

You won't regret trust

im. I nodded after a while. Even I was puzzl

e slipping my small hand into his large, firm one. His hand was warm like a candle lit

you taking

my p

have to walk ten minutes inside the forest. But I mean, as you have a lot of money, you can live in a big town in a very comfort

e in a forest c

e was amused by

forest. So th

ue. You'll see in a while. My place

n wh

see. Com

be made of high-quality fabric. When I saw him before, he was not wearing that c

hort-sleeved long shirt with my shorts, his knuckles brushed over the exposed skin of my

what ar

but common sense. Perhaps it was, but this act of common sense stood out

u need it

catch a cold,

you," I

for this little

s smile was not overly broad, but rather a small curl of hi

my skin. However, my face and hair were wet. He had my hand in

you doi

what?"

do you want to m

, he chuckled.

o

ny girl. I don't think a girl with a bruised

me," he said,

I laid my eyes on

me first?" I ask

g time

he

walking like that for me. It felt a strange walking hand in han

the smell that made me dizzy. A hallucinogenic deep masculine smell had been

our name?

emetrius,"

d what it would feel like to say his name. Would it vibrate in my mouth? Would

hings, but I was not sure if I

something like that? I did

as if he could read my mind. I was curious as to what he meant by at least not you.' Did others fear him a lot? It was true that he appeared cold as if staring a

he urged g

u live

with me and there a

s true. That many people would necessitat

," he

dark place, full of trees and shadows and the sound of small

e here?"

bride," he sai

way too gentle with me and even calling me hi

go. But he did not. He said h

possible? He was probably twenty-fo

k you something

my b

ckly straightened myself out before mak

do you

... perhaps t

twenty-four,

an seven years, as I was just two days away from turning eigh

unset

ha

age

... I j

smile. His lips curved into a smile as well. It was perfect; the way his

d to be making m

n front of us. Both in width an

glas-fir,"

surprised. I said it so quietly, almost not

nown as Douglas spruce, Oregon

ds from the Cascades crest west to the Pacific Coast Ranges and the Pacific Ocean. It can be found in the Klamath and California Coast Ranges as far south as the Santa Lucia Mountains, with a small stand in

lly could not... stop myself. I have this bad ha