Crystal's POV:

It was three weeks before the storm wore off. Erik and I didn't do much talking in that time. He got used to not wearing the mask around me and Titania was back on her feet. As it turned out the bone wasn't completely crushed. Even though I asked him were the scars came from, Erik wouldn't tell me. I didn't try to push him. I didn't want him to completely block me off. I told him my whole story and he sympathized as well as he could. I learned he loved to read but only had a few books. I made a mental note to get him some books when I got home. At last the storm was gone and he was going to take me home. I loaded up into the sled and those dogs started to run. They were amazing. I couldn't believe how fast they could go. Even Titania was keeping up easily. I guess wolves bounce back pretty quick. We stopped away from the village. I stepped out and looked back at him. He was wearing his mask and for a moment I was jealous. My face was frozen. I took his hand in mind and said,

“Thank-you, Erik. You have been a good friend to me. I hope we can still see each other.” He shifted his stance and said,

“Where do you live?” I told him and he said, “Then I will try to drop by on occasion. I would like to keep in contact.” I let his hand go and hugged him. He still tensed at this but had learned to accept it willingly. Once he even hugged me. It was long but it was a start. Then I did something I had wanted to do for quite sometime. I reached up and kissed him on his lips. I was about to draw back when he put one hand behind my head and returned the kiss. The fire that flashed between us I couldn't ignore. Something was going on. He suddenly pulled away and I saw shock in his eyes. Before he could say anything I ran towards my home. I was afraid that he wouldn't like it and afraid he would think I was too bold. I had always been bold. That was something that ran in my blood. But there was one thing I couldn't deny. I liked that kiss a lot.

Erik's POV:

I couldn't believe it. Crystal had just kissed me! ME! It was more than I had ever hoped for. It was a dream come true. I had only dreamed of a kiss but now I knew what one was like. Though I couldn't imagine why she would. Love wasn't even in the equation. After all who could love me? I could love someone but they wouldn't ever return it. That was the way life would always be fore me. Though what I felt when she kissed me couldn't be denied. Am I falling in love with Crystal?

Crystal's POV:

I ran to my house and stood before the door. My chest was heaving, as I opened the door.

“Good day.” I said to Norbert who was sitting by a warm fire without a shirt on. He shot straight up with he when he saw me.

“Crystal, we thought you were dead!” I nodded and moved toward the fire to warm my hands and face.

“I know. But I'm not. I had some help.” Norbert stared at me then said,

“Did you get help from the Lord of Wolves?” I looked at him and remembered the time when I might have drooled over him when he didn't have his shirt on but now I easily ignored it. One might think that I was crazy but I liked Erik's scar-covered chest a whole lot more. It was real and even with the scars it was ten times better than Norbert's. I had seen it more than once in those three weeks because I had to clean his cuts. I dare say it wasn't easy not to blush when I had to clean them. It was a good thing that he normally closed his eyes while I preformed my ministrations. There was something about Erik that drew me towards him. Something that no other guy had. Something that Norbert certainly didn't have. I realized in all my thinking that I hadn't answered his question.

“Yes, I did. He is a confusing person.” I made it sound as if I didn't know much about him which was partially the truth. I didn't want Norbert to think that I counted Erik as one of my greatest friends. Norbert was silent and I guess decided not to ask any more questions because he left soon after. Deep down I was wondering if he had even looked for me. But I had another more important matter to attend to. That was figuring out what was wrong with me. I am a logical girl with a very level head and a sensible heart. I hadn't had many crushes as a teenager. I had ruled out so many boys that none were left who filled my criteria. But now I was wondering why I felt a warmth in my heart towards Erik. After all I had known him less than a month. One doesn't fall in love with a man in less than a month? Can you? I asked myself. Can I be falling in love with Erik?