She heard voices around her when she regained consciousness. The wound in her arm had dulled to a throb. Rümvo tried to sit up but weakness consumed her body, a slight pain echoing inside her head.

"Please, try not to get up," a feminine voice spoke.

A woman came in her line of view, soft brown eyes and hair that gave her a look of a young but mature woman.

"Where am I?" she rasped out, her mouth begging for a drink.

"You're in Charles's home, he offered for you to stay until you're better," the woman spoke, raising a cup to Rümvo's lips while supporting her head in an upward position.

Cool liquid slipped down her dry throat, quenching her thirst.

"I assume you come from Iürus?" the woman spoke, igniting an interest in Rümvo.

"You know of my home?" Rümvo spoke in an excited tone, "Do you think your people could send me back?"

A sad smile touched the woman's lips, "We cannot. If my husband couldn't return, I doubt you can."

Rümvo blinked, "Your husband is from my world?"

Blush coated her cheeks, "His name is Vulbogiô."

Prince Vulbogiô? she thought, her eyes growing wide. Before she could speak anymore a large figure filled the door frame. He looked different from when she last saw him. He looked like one of them.

"Your royal highness?"  Rümvo rasped.

A red tint appeared at the tips of his ears before he spoke, "It's alright young archer, I've long lost the title of royalty."

She blinked, "I don't understand, yesterday they were announcing your escape from the dungeons!"

This time Prince Vulbogiô looked confused, "Yesterday? That was seven years ago."

"The portal probably shifts time," a new voice said.

A slender man emerged from behind Vulbogiô's large frame, brown curls falling over his forehead, his large blue eyes looking at her with interest. The man seemed familiar to her until she realized he was the same one that she threatened with a blade.

"Does this mean I cannot go back home?" Rümvo murmured softly, her hands running through her hair.

The prince shook his head, "There is no entrance to the portal in this realm."

Rümvo felt her heart thud rapidly inside her chest as she thought of the ways of this new realm, "Where will I go? What am I to do?"

"You can stay here," the man said, shifting his feet uncomfortably, "I can show you our ways."

She glanced at Vulbogiô's woman who only nodded, "Charles is a good man."

Rümvo peered at the man, her eyes assessing him like an animal in his habitat. She watched him squirm uncomfortably, not because he hid something but because he was never used to being under such intense scrutiny.

"Very well," she spoke, "I will stay, but under one condition. I want to earn my keep."

****

Charles felt something flutter inside his chest, she would be staying here, inside his home.

Sam and Vulbogiô had left a few hours ago, leaving him and the woman alone.

"So what is your name?" Charles spoke, bringing in a tray of food to the woman.

Brown eyes slid over to his, mystery filling the brown orbs, "Rümvo."

He gave her a tentative smile and picked up a bowl of chicken noodle soup, spooning it towards her mouth.

Rümvo snarled, making Charles instinctively back away, "I can feed myself!"

Shame fell upon his shoulders, "Of course but your shoulder is in pain."

The woman glared at him, "It's nothing that I'm not used to."

Charles set the bowl on the beside table, his heart clenching at the woman's statement, "Rümvo, I've rarely experienced pain in my life but saying such things makes me wonder what type of suffering you've been through. I won't ask you to tell me right away what it is but I suggest you at least eat something."

Her eyes were wide, her body still but Charles didn't dwell on her reaction. Instead, he stood up and left, hoping the mysterious woman would stay longer because her mere presence made him feel like he could stand with her and vanquish any pain away from her savage heart.