Ines and Matthew walked down the bridge, moved past the riverbanks and reached the deep forest that marked the end of the elves' realm. Soon enough they would cross the Great Wall and enter the humans' kingdom. They strode silently under the evening sun, he stealing glances from her, and she avoiding him altogether.

Once they felt the wall's magic, they started walking carefully through the barrier, occasionally pausing to listen to their surroundings. It was almost dark when Ines suddenly sensed movement from their side. She signaled to Matthew to stop and focused her attention on the intruders.

They didn't have to wait for long. After a few seconds a group of the spellbound creatures appeared in the distance, running towards them, snarling and trampling everything that stood in their way. Ines pulled out her sword and with a single nod to Matthew, she dashed at the enemy.

. . . . .

'I could have fought them by myself,' she defended sassily.

'I bet you could,' Matthew chuckled at her reaction, causing her to grumble about the fate that drew them close. The night's darkness slowed them down significantly, and hid dangers they didn't want to face right then. They would have to stop at a safe place until the morning.

Matthew pulled her with him towards a thicker part of the woods where the trees and bushes would conceal them from possible threats. Ines didn't like how his rough hands brushed her arm, creating goosebumps all over her body.

Those rough hands were her consolation, even though she was so mad at him she could barely keep it in, and it was scary. She had to admit to herself that her heart was still calling for him. She stared at the side of his face. Deep lines had formed around his eyes and his jaw was set in an uncomfortable manner.

He sensed her scrutinising gaze and glanced down at her. He let out a sigh of worry as his eyes bore into hers and he loosened his hold on her. His fingers glided down her arm and engulfed her small hand into his. With his touch Ines felt like a part of her was more complete, like their connected hands bridged and wove their souls into one.

That beautiful feeling didn't last for long. Once they reached the most suitable place to settle, he reluctantly let go of her. They lit a small fire for warmth and sat down, gazing at the starry sky above them. Ines' curiosity got the best of her, and she couldn't help but ask him.

'How long have you known?' 

A few seconds passed before he answered. 'Since we were kids,' he smirked at her.

'What!' Her jaw dropped in shock. She hadn't expected that at all.

'It was an accident. I followed you one night outside the camp and saw you take care of your wounds. I haven't told anyone, don't worry,' he smiled at her.

'So, I should be thankful for your self-restraint, huh?' she said, her voice laced with sarcasm.

'I'm just saying that your secret is safe with me.'

Ines shook her head in disapproval. She doubted she could trust him. What if he kept more things from her than she thought? Sadness crossed her features, the corners of her mouth drawing downwards. Matthew probably noticed her expression because he drew closer to her and snatched her hand.

'Peter. Peter, look at me.'

She turned to him, the moon casting its soft silver light on her solemn face.

'I swear to you, this is the only thing I hadn't told you.'

'How I'm I supposed to believe you?' she argued tiredly.

'Why would I be lying to you?'

'I don't know.'

'I think I have proven where my loyalties lie.' He looked at her from under his brows, his expression unreadable. His eyes glinted in the shadows, as if there was nothing in the world he would rather be looking at. Ines' cheeks blushed at his intense gaze, and she turned around to calm her racing heartbeat. 'I'll always be here, Peter. I know I messed up, but I promise you, no more lies,' she heard him say, as her mind drifted off to sleep.

. . . . . .

Ines looked at the road leading towards the city walls. It was the fastest way they could follow, but the trickiest one as well. Many people used it for transporting their goods and they could be exposed. She stopped walking before crossing the road, straining her ears for any sound.

Matthew wasn't that patient. He gave her one last look and moved past her, but once his feet touched the gravel ground, his boots slipped over the tiny pebbles, making him lose his balance. Before his face met the hard ground, Ines had just enough time to seize him by the collar and pull him back to the safety of the trees.

She gave him the deadliest glare she could manage, which only made him grimace at her in amusement. He, having spent months of really getting to know her, was the only one who wasn't fazed by her feisty attitude. She never managed to intimidate him, and that excited her all the more. She constantly wanted to slap the smile off his annoyingly perfect face.

'After you, my lady,' he said with mock courtesy.

'I hear something coming,' she quickly shushed him.

They waited, hiding behind a thick tree trunk. On the empty road a waggon approached, driven by a stout-looking man. Its wheels creaked from the weight of the cargo it carried and the horses that moved the carriage seemed too tired for that tedious task.

Ines watched the waggon carefully as it drew away. At its back it had the symbol of the city, so she presumed it was transporting goods to the market. However, an all too familiar clanking sound led her to suspect that its cargo wasn't what she thought at first.

'He is trafficking weapons in the city?' Matthew whispered.

'That's what I think so too.'

'But the army doesn't import weapons, it forges its own inside the walls.'

'We should follow him,' Ines concluded.

Without further ado, they took off running after the shabby waggon. They dodged trees and bushes, their legs flying over the white snow, their eyes never leaving the carriage ahead. Ines' lungs burned from exertion, and she knew she wouldn't be able to run for much longer.

Matthew glanced at her from over his shoulder, his brows frowning worriedly. She was jealous of his stamina. He moved with ease, every muscle of his body working in sync; he wasn't even breaking a sweat. He was sight to behold.

Ines shook those crazy thoughts off her mind and resumed running, or rather trying to keep up with him. Gradually, they reached the end of the forest and saw the waggon approaching a crossroad. She expected for it to turn right towards the city, but instead it turned to the opposite direction.

'Where the hell is he going?' she asked Matthew.

'Come on.'

It seemed her torture would have no end. She sighed tiredly and ran after him. From then on, they had no cover, no trees to blend in, so they kept at a safe distance from the carriage. Ines' legs were on fire, and she was out of breath.

'That wagon is fast,' she whined loudly, making Matthew grab her by the hand and pull her forward.

'If you can't keep up—'

'Oh, shut up!'

They chuckled at their tragic state, two people chasing a waggon like crazy. If anyone saw them, they would become quite a spectacle. After a few minutes of agony, they noticed the driver come to a halt. Ines' brows drew together in confusion when she took in the sight before her.

A military camp stood proud by the big lake of the city, enclosed inside a tall wire fencing. Its flag was flapping in the wind, a flag of the lions, the military corps that were responsible for protecting the king. She had never visited that camp, only heard of it.

'I had forgotten this place existed,' she heard Matthew say.

'Yeah, me too.'

They carefully approached the big construction, trying not to be detected. For some reason, the soldiers were being given those dangerous weapons and they had to learn why. The circled the perimetre, searching for a blind spot to safely enter the fence.

They had just found a way to sneak in the facilities and find out where those weapons were coming from, but suddenly Ines felt a hand seize her throat. Matthew was already there, taking her attacker down with a single move. Ines didn't even have time to blink.

They looked at the soldier lying on the ground and hoped he would be the only one who had seen them and that they still stood a chance. They held their breath in fear and counted the seconds. Matthew grabbed her hand, his eyes filled with terror.

Their hopes were crushed when the deafening sound of the alarm gave their presence away. Ines didn't even have time to blink. Within seconds they are surrounded by angry-looking soldiers.

'Peter! Do your magic thing!' Matthew told her.

'I can't! There is no magic for me here to absorb!'

They would have to fight their way out. Ines nodded at Matthew and charged. Metal clashed on metal as the fighters met their opponents, and there were too many of them. Ines let her instincts guide her, hoping to find an opening for their escape, but she only managed to wound a man before she felt hands snatch her from behind.

Matthew moved to free her from their grasp, but a soldier was already there. He pulled out a sharp knife, one that was too small for him to notice, and plunged it in his abdomen. Matthew grunted in pain and slumped to the ground.

'Oh no, no,' Ines whispered in fear once she saw him being captured by the guards.

She couldn't leave him behind. Not after all they had been through. She dropped her sword and let them drag her with him.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A/N:  Uh oh, I literally have no idea where this is gonna go. Just kidding, I know but I won't tell you. Drop a star to make me change my mind hehe. Thank you for reading! xx

Phrase of chapter:  esse quam videri / to be, rather than to seem  - Cicero