Latera woke suddenly, and for a moment she could not remember where she was. Then she saw the other six bedrolls spread out around the fire, and noticed that one in particular, the very one she was sure to place hers next to, was empty. She quietly rose and found Aeolmar at the edge of the clearing, leaning against a tree as he kept watch.

            “Why are you awake?” he asked as she approached.

            “I could not sleep,” she replied as she sat next to his feet. She did not tell him that she didn’t feel safe when he wasn’t there, and she thought she’d kept the lingering fear from her voice. She hadn’t done as good a job as she thought.

            “You are surrounded by five of the best hunters in Parthalan,” Aeolmar pointed out, “no one is safer than you. And there aren’t any more demons in the area.”

            “That’s what you said this morning, and you were wrong,” Latera said. “What if you are wrong now?” She looked up at him with her wide, pale eyes. If anyone else had questioned his words  they would have been ignored or possibly reprimanded, yet Aeolmar not only let her get away with her inquiry, he also answered her.

            “There weren’t any in the area when we arrived,” he replied, “and the ones who followed us are dead.” He looked at her unmoving position and exhaled heavily. “I assume you’ve decided to keep watch with me?”

            “How is your leg?” she asked, in an attempt to change the subject. Latera did not like that he kept moving about and standing for extended periods; she was no healer, and her experience in tending wounds was limited to horses. She worried that he would cause himself additional damage. As a result, she had followed Aeolmar around for the rest of the day, constantly telling him to sit down, that she would fetch whatever he was after. The other five hunters stared in amazement as the First Hunter was ordered about by a stable girl without uttering a single word in protest. No one was more amazed than Aeolmar.

            “I have lived through worse,” he replied.

            “You should not stand for so long,” she began, only to stifle a yawn.

            “I can’t keep watch from the ground,” he rebuked, mildly amused that she was so concerned for him. He waited for her retort, but Latera was silent. After a moment, Aeolmar looked down to find her asleep with her pretty head against the tree. He sat next to her and stretched his injured leg out in front of him, and gently moved her from the rough bark to the crook of his arm. He reasoned that he would let her sleep until his shift ended, for he was loath to move her, and then he would return her to her bedroll before the fire. She nestled closer to him, seeming to crave the shelter he offered her. He would let her sleep just a moment longer…

            “Aeolmar.”

            The First Hunter started awake as he heard his name and attempted to sit up, but Bron, who had woken for the second watch, motioned for him to remain still.

            “Careful, you’ll wake the girl,” his low voice rumbled. Aeolmar’s gaze moved to the side and he smiled when he saw the red curls against his shoulder. Bron stared incredulously at the scene before him, and wasn’t sure if he was more amazed by Aeolmar sleeping or the company he kept. Many times, Bron had known the First Hunter to stay awake for days at a time with hardly any evidence of exhaustion. Yet he found him asleep against a tree with the stable girl curled around him.

Bron watched his commander as he gently smoothed Latera’s curls, and wondered if Aeolmar saw her as a child to protect, or as a woman to woo. The girl was pretty enough, but it was as out of character for him to be interested in a female as it was for him to fall asleep while on watch. Aeolmar spent nearly no time with women; in fact, the only time Bron had ever seen Aeolmar touch a woman was when he and Luth first came to Teg’urnan, and that was to snatch Innetha from the path of a demon. But here he was, cradling Latera as if she was precious to him.

            “She came to speak to me, to ask after my leg, and fell asleep where she sat,” Aeolmar explained, which was another oddity – Aeolmar never explained his actions, he only issued orders. “She seemed so tired, I did not want to disturb her.” Before Bron could reply, Latera stirred in her sleep, acting as if she was trying to get away.

            “Get it off me,” she whimpered as she pushed against Aeolmar’s chest. “Can’t breathe…get off.”

            “Latera, I’m right here,” Aeolmar murmured in her ear. “Nothing will hurt you.” His quiet words calmed her, and she burrowed further into his arms.

            “She had quite a scare today,” Bron said carefully, for while he wanted to know what exactly was happening, he knew Aeolmar would likely not answer a direct question.

            “She did,” Aeolmar agreed. “After she killed the lesser demons-”

            “This tiny creature really killed them both?” Bron interrupted.

            “In the space of a heartbeat, they were dead before her,” Aeolmar confirmed, a hint of pride in his voice. “I came to myself just as she plunged my sword into the first, and she killed the second in one fell sweep. Then Mersgoth lumbered up behind her and grabbed her with his remaining arm.” In response to Bron’s questioning look, Aeolmar added, “She began her assault by severing Mersgoth’s sword arm, and shoving him into the fire.”

            Bron chuckled quietly. “It seems the little one is a born demon killer,” he said.

            “It seemed that way, until the mordeth had his hand clamped over her face,” Aeolmar continued. “I managed to land my knife in his spine, but she was trapped under him, and he bled out all over her.” His gaze returned to the girl against him, and he pushed a stray curl from her brow. “I imagine she’ll have nightmares for some time,” he murmured.

            “Who would have thought, such strength in one so small,” Bron said. He was about to ask Aeolmar if he wanted him to carry Latera back to her bedroll, being mindful of his commander’s injured leg, when she again stirred in her sleep. This time she did not whimper in fear, but sighed contentedly as her arm found its way around Aeolmar’s neck. Bron, who had rarely seen the First Hunter smile, now watched him gaze lovingly at a girl he’d known less than a day. Bron mumbled that he would keep watch at the far side of the clearing, and left the two.

            Aeolmar hardly noticed Bron’s departure as he watched Latera’s sleeping face. He was so happy to see her sleep soundly, contentedly, as if she had not endured the horrific events of the day. Aeolmar was a swirl of emotions: happiness that she was sleeping in his arms; guilt over her being attacked in the first place; amazement that she killed the demons; and relief over Mersgoth’s death. While all knew of the First Hunter’s obsession with killing the mordeth, most assumed it was because Mersgoth acted as the right hand of Asgeloth, and few knew the truth of the matter: Mersgoth had slaughtered Aeolmar’s entire family. He never knew why they had been targeted by the demon, nor did he care. Aeolmar was consumed by vengeance and had tracked the mordeth for centuries, only to have the demon slip through his fingers time and again, until earlier that day. Finally, the demon was dead, and his family avenged.

            Aeolmar thought of his sisters as he stroked Latera’s hair, and tried to convince himself that he saw Latera as a substitute for them. He remembered sitting before the hearth with the two youngest, Linnaea and Enna, and how they would frequently fall asleep in his lap. Enna had only ever reached nine summers, and Linnaea was not much older, despite the fact that she constantly tried to be grown. He remembered the last time he held his little Enna…

            Aeolmar shoved that memory away, unwilling to let his tormented past interfere with his suddenly wonderful present. But he did admit to himself that while he had dearly loved his sisters, it was an entirely different emotion he felt as he held Latera. He remembered how his father would watch his mother’s every move, how he never let pass an opportunity to pull her into his arms or on his lap, and how she would laugh and wonder if he would ever tire of chasing her. It was plain to all who saw how much they loved one another, and Aeolmar felt that he finally understood what his father felt for his mate. Since he had first noticed her at the inn, Latera was all Aeolmar could think about, and he had been racking his brain trying to think of a way to bring her to Teg’urnan, for he could not bear the thought of leaving her behind, but she had given him the perfect reason: as a nuvi.

            His hand moved from her hair the nape of her neck, carefully avoiding the blood burn, and he impulsively scooped her onto his lap. She smiled slightly in her sleep, and a contented grin bloomed on Aeolmar’s face. Yes, he knew how his father had felt toward his mother, and for the life of him he had no idea of how to communicate this to the girl in his lap. Not only had she just met him, after which he took her into the forest and almost got her killed, but she was very young. Aeolmar did not know her age, but he guessed she was younger that the thirty-four summers reached by Linnaea. Quite a bit younger, in fact. But she was coming with him to Teg’urnan, and she would be near him in the sola, so he imagined he had time to get to know her, and learn if this was merely an infatuation or if he truly loved her. Yes, he thought, we will have plenty of time to become close.

            Latera stirred again and her head lolled back against his arm; he remarked to himself that she didn’t sleep well, and he wondered if it was only the events of the day that disturbed her slumber. He hoped she did not have a past as awful as his; then he remembered that the innkeepers were not her parents, and she had somehow become lost in Faerie. He wanted to know how she came here, if she had been hurt, but when he asked her earlier she was as reticent to speak of her past as he.

Aeolmar stroked her cheek with his thumb, the concept of her being scared or alone or sad infuriating him. He resolved that he was now her protector, and pitied anyone fool enough to harm her. He nestled Latera against his neck, holding her tightly as he silently swore to defend her body, heart and soul. His embrace was stronger than he realized, and she squirmed away from him.

“Aeolmar?” she murmured without opening her eyes. “Where are we?”

“After you insisted you weren’t tired, you fell asleep,” he quietly informed her. “Do you want to return to the fire?” She nodded against his shoulder and tried to stand, but she was so exhausted she merely flopped against him. “I have you,” he whispered as he stood, biting back curses as he put his weight on his injured leg. As he rose he was again amazed at her nearly-weightless form, and he was now certain his sword weighed more that her. He felt another pang of guilt, this time for bringing her to Teg’urnan, to join the sola, for how could he send such a small, delicate creature against a demon? Even he was not as heartless as that. But he remembered her easy grace as she swung his sword, how quickly she dispatched the lesser demons, and he smiled. She will be fine, he thought, she has no training and she fared better than any of the current nuvi would have. And a First Hunter should have a huntress as a mate.

He stopped dead in his tracks, amazed that the thought had even entered his mind. Had he really just considered her his future mate? Now, he knew that his thirst for vengeance had driven him mad, for he hadn’t even shared a sunrise with this girl. And she was just that – a girl, not a woman with whom he should be entertaining these thoughts. What was wrong with him?

Aeolmar reached Latera’s bedroll, and laid her down as gently as if she’d been made of glass. As he tucked the blanket about her, he realized that it wasn’t what was wrong with him, but what was finally right. When he looked at her, he wasn’t angry, or consumed by vengeance, or drowning in his own despair. He was happy, and content, and calm. Aeolmar had kept everyone away from him for so long, he had forgotten how good it felt to love someone. If only she would love him in return.

The First Hunter returned to his own bedroll, and after a moment’s hesitation he moved it away from the fire, and placed it between Latera and the forest. While he had assured her there were no more demons in the area, he was not going to leave her vulnerable to whatever else could be lurking among the trees. The new location also gave him the added advantage of being able to watch her lovely face as she slept. As he gazed at her sleeping form, he again wondered at these new, unusual emotions that coursed through him. He considered if this was a mere infatuation, for she was quite lovely, but he reminded himself that he was not one to get infatuated. In fact, as he searched his memory he could not recall a single incident; all of his relationships had been passionate, and brief…and he had stopped having them quite a long time ago. He had assumed he was no longer capable of loving a woman as she deserved, and resigned himself to a life of finding Mersgoth and destroying him.

Not only was Mersgoth destroyed, but his heart had finally awakened. Aeolmar felt Latera gently tugging it, and he welcomed the gentle pulls. He knew he would need to tread carefully, for not only was she little more than a child but she would be under his command while in the sola. The last thing he needed were the eyes and ears of Teg’urnan speculating that he favored Latera in any way. No, she did not need that; she needed to be judged on her own merits, not on whether or not the First Hunter had affection for her. He would be patient, and not act on his desires, and would try to get to know her. Once she was named, which wouldn’t be for at least a full turn of the seasons, he would be certain of how he felt about her. And, if she returned his sentiments.

Aeolmar looked to the dying fire and was about to stoke it, when he saw the lightening sky. He had spent almost the entire night either holding or watching Latera while she slept. Despite his almost entire lack of sleep, he felt strangely exhilarated. He gently nudged Latera’s shoulder, deciding that he could get to know her a little better right now.

“Aeolmar?” she asked as her lids fluttered open. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he said softly. “Would you like to greet the elder sun with me?” She readily agreed and he pulled her to her feet. They completed the morning prayer, and she glanced about the clearing to see that the rest of the hunters were still asleep.

“You only woke me?” she asked.

“I’ve greeted the elder sun with them many times, but never with my newest nuvi,” he replied. She smiled at his words and his heart leapt, so much so that he wondered if she could hear it thumping away in his chest. He briefly entertained the notion of taking her for a short walk in the forest, to ask a few gentle questions and determine if she shared his feelings, but decided against his plan. If she said no, it would devastate him, and the journey back to the palace would be unbearable. No, he would bide his time and get to know her, and hopefully she would want to get to know him as well. He turned to assemble the bedroll he hadn’t slept in when Latera caught his elbow.

“Aren’t we going to greet the child sun, as well?” she asked. He smiled at her, his happy expression not leaving his face as they turned to the east and awaited the child sun. She remembered his injured leg and ordered him to sit, repeating that he should stay off his leg as much as possible. She knelt next to him and looked at her hands for a moment before she spoke again.

“Thank you,” Latera began in a small voice, “for being so kind to me.”

“Have others been unkind to you?”

“Oh, no” she said quickly, “Ingvarr and Elma are wonderful. I would not have survived without them. But I cannot sit and talk to them, not like I can with you. And once Ingvarr taught me the morning prayer, he never again greeted the suns with me.” She met his eyes. “They work very hard; they just don’t have any time to spare.” Aeolmar’s heart broke as he saw the loneliness in her eyes, the loneliness she was trying not to admit she felt.  Finlay had mentioned that Latera slept in the stable, rather than the inn; Aeolmar had no idea if that was true, and for Ingvarr’s own good he specifically did not ask Latera about her sleeping arrangements. If Ingvarr had put her in a stall – a horse’s stall! – rather than a proper room just to earn a few additional coins Aeolmar would probably strike him. Hard.

“While I cannot promise to greet the suns with you every day, we can greet them together every morning of our journey to the palace,” Aeolmar said softly. “Would that please you?”

“Very much so,” she replied. “As I said, you are very kind.”

As the words left her lips the child sun crested the trees, and she turned to watch its ascent. Aeolmar’s smile widened into a grin as he recited the prayer, and he realized that he would enjoy the journey to the palace, and he would enjoy getting to know his newest nuvi. Very much so.