“My apologies, snowy one,” he said calmly. Her thighs pressed together at the low, reverberating deep tone of his voice, her mind finding it even more appealing than before with her body tingling in such a disconcerting way. “I am sure you have had a frightening day, and we should go to our home.”

He reached his hand forward as though he wanted to help her to her feet.

Go to our home.

Her stomach twisted at the offer, at his words, and she was unsure why she didn’t hesitate to slip her own hand into his much larger one after she’d seen what he could turn into.

There was a gentleness as he hoisted her up. He gave her hand a tentative squeeze, almost as if he was squeezing it to reassure or comfort her.

“I hope you do not mind, but would you be okay walking on your own for a little while?”

He waved his hand to the left, his actions telling her they were going to continue walking in the direction they’d been heading all along and wouldn’t be returning to where the Demonslayers were.

Reia nearly groaned at the idea of chasing behind him while tripping in the snow, but just managed to suppress it.

Now that her adrenaline was waning, the ice was already freezing her bare feet. Her toes were already aching.

“We aren’t going back the way we came?”

“No. Demons who have been hiding on the surface have surely already started devouring what I have left behind.”

She bit her lips together and nodded.

He started leading the way with his long legs, and she immediately followed.

“You must be strong,” she grumbled with her head turned away from him to hide her pout. “You managed to kill two Demonslayers.”

“It is not the first time I have been attacked by them. They occasionally lay in wait for when I take an offering with the intention to take my life. They know when I am coming, but they grow less successful every time.” A rolling growl made her snap her face to him to see his orbs were red. “They targeted you. Why?”

“As bait.” Reia’s lips twitched and her brows crinkled when she realised how easy it was to keep up with him. He was walking slower than he had been before. “They probably thought it would force you into a corner, like you’d do anything to protect me.”

She laughed at the ridiculousness of that. Why would he care for my life over his own?

“Protect?” His head twitched, but she wasn’t sure why.

“Yes, that was what I was trying to do when I saw the sword against you.”

Her movements paused as her head reared back in unmistakable confusion. She remained planted where she was, watching him step away with the sound of his feet crunching into the snow.

“Your life is precious. I will try to make sure it does not end if I can.”

Her lips parted silently.

Is he saying he is actually planning to protect me? She couldn’t understand that. What does he want from me?

It was only now that she was behind him that she could see the spots of steaming purple globs splattered on the ground trailing after him. When the arching hem of his black cloak slipped further forward, she could see they were coming directly from him.

“Are... Are you hurt?”

Why did a pang lance her chest at the thought? She should be satisfied he was hurt!

That’s why he’s walking so slow.

“Yes. I’ve been stabbed and cut a few times.” He said it as though he didn’t care, but she couldn’t help feeling her deep well of sympathy growing.

He was even limping slightly.

“S-stop,” she bit out through gritted teeth. She ran forward when he halted and turned around to greet her. She reached down and started tearing at the hem of her dress.

“Let me stem the bleeding.”

“There is no need. I am sure you are worried about my state for when nightfall comes, but the bleeding will have stopped by then. The Demons won’t attack.”

She hadn’t even thought about that. Ignoring what he said, she continued to tear at her skirt until she had destroyed the hem and had a few long strips.

“Just... I don’t know. Let me bandage your wounds?” She averted her gaze as she offered the strips of white cloth.

“You’re probably in pain.”

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Orpheus peered at the woman as she tore strips of her dress. He’d told her he would be fine to keep the Demons at bay, so he couldn’t understand her actions.

Is she, perhaps, worried for me?

Curiosity was the only reason he held out his right arm to show her the cut down his forearm that was leaking dark purple blood. He’d never had a human care for his wellbeing before, so when she started wrapping his arm over his clothing, he cocked his head at her.

Her lips were pursed while her blonde brows were knotted together. The pressure was tight as she covered him from his elbow to halfway down his arm, then tied a bow. He didn’t need this, but he was sure it would aid in slowing the bleeding.

The more blood he kept, the stronger he would remain.

Even he knew this. And although he would be fully healed by the next day, he didn’t tell her that.

“Where else are you bleeding?” She nibbled her bottom lip as her green eyes moved over his large body like she was trying to find his wounds herself.

It would be difficult to see the purple blood seeping through his black clothing.

He would have opened his jacket and shirt, but Orpheus had no intention of showing Reia what lay beneath his clothing. Every human who had seen it had been horrified.

All of them.

With his silence, she hesitantly stepped forward and reached out with her hand. His head was tilted further down to watch her, and she peeked up to check it was okay before placing her hand to his chest.

She started patting his body, and his abdomen clenched in pain when she eventually found a stab wound. His blood coated her palm.

He expected her to yank her hand away and stare horrified at his blood on her, but she just looked at her hand for a moment before she continued to pat him until she found the second stab wound.