“If...” He hesitated, like he thought his words would be upsetting for her. She bit her lips together, knowing they would hold a heavy weight to them. “If you gave me your soul, Reia, I may be able to give you what you want.”

Her face paled while her eyes grew so wide she knew they were full and showing the whites of them completely. His hand flew away from her sharply, and he backed up to give her space.

She must have suddenly smelt of fear by how quickly and devastatingly it clutched at her stomach, like a horrible set of claws.

“I don’t know what will happen since it has never been done before, but I was told it would mean that you would always be safe... and with me.”

Her pulse quickened in her veins. Orpheus’ hand clenched into fists on his knee, and he turned his face away from her.

“I understand.” He stood to be above her. “I will not ask again.”

Then he held his hand out to her, bringing what was behind his back forward. It was the sword she’d used to fight the Demons.

“You said you wanted to be a Demonslayer, and I can see you are willing to fight. Would you like to train with a sword?”

All her apprehension and fear fled faster than it had entered her. She quickly got to her feet.

“What? Really?!”

“Knowing you would be able to protect yourself if I am unable to reach you would bring me comfort, as long as you do not use it to leave.”

“Yes!” she squealed, almost bouncing on her feet. The smile she gave was bright. “Yes, Orpheus, please. I would love to!”

His glowing orbs suddenly turned deep purple at her cheerful face. She flinched at how unexpected it was, her cheeks flushing with understanding.

He must have noticed, because his eyes turned into a reddish-pale pink, and he lifted his hand to cover one of them. Reia almost laughed when she realised that was his own way of blushing in embarrassment.

Pfft. Actually, she did laugh. That was so damn adorable.

Their earlier conversation was completely forgotten, and he led her out of the garden so they could have space to move. He gave her the sword, his eyes slow to change back to their normal blue.

“Okay. What do I do?” she asked when she held the leather winding grip with both hands, eyeing one of the sharp edges of the blade.

“I don’t know.”

“Pardon?” She twisted her head to the side to look at him with a confused expression.

“I have claws.” He gestured to them by flashing them in the dim sunlight. “I have never needed to wield a sword.”

“How am I supposed to learn, then?”

He gave a shrug of his shoulders. “I have been attacked many times by humans. Attack me until you understand how to wield it.”

“I could hurt you. Wouldn’t that make you angry?”

The last thing she needed was for him to go bat-shit crazy like he did when the Demonslayers hit him with an arrow.

A deep chuckle came from him as he folded his arms across his chest.

“You won’t be able to hurt me, my little human. You will not be quick enough, nor strong enough.” With his arms folded, he stepped in front of her so they were facing each other. “I will carve you a wooden sword if it looks as though you might, but until I do, you will train with this. I will make sure we are careful.”

“You’re awfully arrogant for someone who has never seen me fight.” She raised the pointed tip, making the silver metal glisten in the sun. “I was pretty effective at killing those Demons to protect your sorry butt while you were unconscious.”

“I’m sure you were, but let’s make you better.”

Having faith in him, Reia ran forward with all her might and cut downwards. He easily dodged it by stepping out of the way with his long stride, his arms remaining folded. She tried again, and he did the same thing. Reia slashed sideways and he merely stepped backwards at least a foot out of her range.

Eventually, they started moving in a circle with her chasing him while he easily stepped out of the way.

“Try a different attack, Reia.”

She stopped, huffing as she stood there.

“Wouldn’t it be better if you had your own sword so that I could attack it? It might help me learn.”

A sharp wind cut through them and billowed her white gown around her legs. The green one she had was ruined by Demon blood and she had yet to dye this one. She had collected the destroyed plants from the garden and was planning on boiling it this afternoon to dye a new dress.

Orpheus turned his head up to the sky and Reia followed his gaze. A sharp gust of wind curled around both their forms, filled with leaf litter and dust.

“That is a good idea, but something we will have to try tomorrow.” Dark grey clouds were rolling over them heavily, and she shivered when the air dropped a few degrees in temperature. “It is going to rain.”

“I love the rain,” she said, casting a smile at the clouds.

“You will not love it when it washes the protection circle away and Demons are freely roaming around the house.”

“Okay, yeah,” she sighed, slumping her shoulders as she turned her head down to look at him. “Fair point.”

“Come, we must prepare.” He gestured with a wave of his hand towards the front of the house they were standing close to. As they were walking towards it, he asked, “Would you like to help me make protection trinkets in case we need them?”

“Sure, but could you grab me some vegetables so that I can make a stew?”

When he agreed, she listed off what she wanted from what remained. She went inside while he fetched them for her.

Reia started up the cooking hearth so that she could begin to boil water, eyeing one of the cabinets above the kitchen area counters. She kept eyeing it as she was cutting up some of the herbs that were already available inside.

I doubt he’ll mind...

He was always telling her she could go wherever she wanted within the protective circle, could do or touch whatever she wanted. She nibbled her bottom lip, thinking heavily since what she wanted was something she knew was important, and she didn’t know if he’d consider it wasteful when it was used to protect her. Despite her happiness being something he considered a priority, her safety was the top tier of importance in his mind – to her annoyance.

Screw it, it’ll be fine.

Reia grabbed the chair she used to sit at the dining table with and slipped the weighty piece of furniture to the counter. She climbed onto it, making sure it was steady enough to support her weight, and then stood on it. She opened the doors.

Just as she was reaching inside, a large, warm hand wrapped around her back and side, startling her and making her nearly stumble. She swiftly turned to him.

“Be careful,” he said while supporting her back. “I don’t want you to fall and hurt yourself. If you want something, I am able to get it for you. What is it you need from here?”

His voice didn’t sound angry or bothered, was more laced with curiosity as he peered inside the cupboard with her.