The early afternoon air was still warm, tinged with the earthy scent of dry leaves and far-off forest dew. Nyxaria stepped quietly past the stone house she'd been given, her fingers brushing against the rough bark of a crooked tree as her eyes scanned the surrounding area.
It didn't take her long to find him.
She found him beneath a crooked old tree just beyond the clearing, not far from her stone house. The tree was half-hidden by a slope and wild shrubs—easy to miss unless one was looking.
Nyxaria stilled. So he was just... sitting there? Behind her house?
Was he watching her? Monitoring her to make sure she didn't sneak into the forest again?
The thought made her pause.
Was he worried?
The thoughts flickered through her like sparks, faint and ridiculous. She scoffed softly at herself and shook her head. What was she thinking? Worry? For her?
Ridiculous. Back in her world, she'd completed far more dangerous missions, trudged through blood and fire, stared death in the face a hundred times—and not once had anyone cared.
No one had ever worried about her. Not in her old world, not in the organization that had trained her since she was six. She'd been covered in blood and broken bones, returning from near-death missions without a single word of concern from anyone. Emotions had no place in her previous life. Affection was a liability.
Even she had long since stopped worrying about herself. So why would someone she barely knew bother?
She approached anyway, quiet but deliberate. Lioren turned at the sound of her footsteps. His lavender eyes landed on her, blinking slowly—as if trying to make sense of what he was seeing.
Maybe he didn't recognize her right away—she was clean now, her silver hair brushed, face no longer smeared with dirt and dried blood. Her body was now wrapped in simple, neat clothing, thanks to Sira. She looked... like a different person. It was no wonder he didn't recognize her at first.
She stopped just a few steps away and called out, "Lioren."
The moment her voice touched the air, Lioren's eyes widened slightly in realization. His head jerked away abruptly, turning to the side.
She raised a brow.
Is he... sulking?
His ruffled feathers and a slight huff as he angled his body away made Nyxaria's brow twitched, amusement teasing her lips. Is he mad at me for going into the forest without saying anything?
He looks kind of cute, sulking like that.
The thought popped up without warning, and before she could stop herself, a tiny chuckle slipped out.
At the sound, Lioren stiffened.
Then—he turned away entirely, offering her his back with a dramatic rustle of feathers.
That only made it worse. She bit her lip to suppress the growing smile. He was trying so hard to be cold, but honestly—he looked more like an awkwardly shy bird puffing its feathers.
"I didn't know birds could pout," she muttered, circling him so she could face him again. "Are you... angry with me?" she asked, almost teasing.
In response, Lioren hopped a step away, once again giving her his back like a stubborn child.
She blinked, almost taken aback by how determined he was.
And then—
A pop of shimmering light burst midair beside her.
Ari appeared mid-air, floating lazily upside-down, arms behind her head and a wicked little smirk on her lips.
"Of course he's angry," Ari said dramatically, arms folded behind her head. "When Sira mentioned you were missing, he went full hawk mode and zoomed off like a crazed beast, looking for you everywhere in the city. Completely panicked. Checked every corner of the city, like a whirlwind. And then—" she threw a dramatic hand in the air, "—he heard from that one-armed lion beastman guarding the west gate that you had left the city and went toward the forest."
Nyxaria's lips parted slightly.
"He was terrified," Ari continued with a snort, spinning a slow circle in the air. "Worried sick. Thought you'd get eaten alive or torn to pieces. Flew out instantly to find you. When he finally did, not far from the city, and saw you injured and unconscious... he panicked so hard I thought he might faint mid-air. He rushed you back himself, left you with the healer, Then flew off to find herbs, practically shoved them into the old healer's hands."
Her voice softened just a bit.
"He sat outside until he got confirmation you're fine. Then he came here and stayed under this tree. Watching. Just in case."
Nyxaria stood silent.
She looked down at her hands. The silence that followed was heavy, not uncomfortable, just full—of questions, confusion, and something else she couldn't name.
She didn't know what to say.
Her gaze shifted to the silent figure in front of her, feathers ruffling faintly in the breeze.
So... he really was worried.
Why?
They had only just met. She'd bandaged his injuries, yes—but he had brought her food, carried her to this city, and given her a place to stay. If anything, he'd already paid her back.
Then why…?
She wasn't used to this.
Kindness.
It made her feel off-balance. Vulnerable. Unarmed.
"I see." she said quietly to Ari.
After a beat, she looked at Lioren. "Thank you," she said, her voice quieter than she intended.
Lioren's back straightened.
Lioren turned slowly at her words. His expression unreadable at first—but when his eyes landed on her face, something softened. Perhaps he thought she was upset because he ignored her earlier, because after a moment, he suddenly flapped his wings in an almost frantic gesture. He hopped forward, then raised his wings, and began miming frantic circles with it in the air. A mix of signs Nyxaria couldn't fully decipher. He pressed his wings together, then tapped his chest, shaking his head.
Nyxaria watched him for a moment, then stepped a little closer.
She studied him for a moment, then exhaled. "I'm not upset," she said softly. "And... I didn't mean to make you worry. If you need my help with anything, just tell me... I'll do my best."
He blinked at her. Her tone wasn't particularly warm—it was distant, maybe even cold. But that was all she could manage.
Because this kindness… it was unfamiliar. It pressed against the edges of her carefully constructed walls.
If she didn't set the boundary now, she feared she might fall into something she couldn't climb out of.
Lioren stilled. His violet eyes locked onto hers for a moment. Then, he seemed to think of something. Then, almost awkwardly, he dug into the satchel beside him and held something out.
A strange, bulbous fruit—dark mauve with fine black speckles and a spiky stem.
Nyxaria blinked. "What... is this?"
Lioren didn't answer. He nudged it forward again insistently.
She eyed it suspiciously, but in the end, took it from him. After all, he'd saved her. He didn't have any reason to harm her now. And if he wanted to harm her, he wouldn't have gone through so much trouble.
She took a cautious bite.
The taste was... indescribable. Not bad, not good—just strange. Bitter and earthy, like wild herbs with a metallic aftertaste. The flavor curled her tongue unpleasantly.
Moments later, Ari, who was lounging midair like a disinterested gossiping spirit, tilted her head. "Ooh. It's working already."
"What is?" Nyxaria asked warily.
"Rashes," Ari said casually. "Little reddish bumps. All over your face. Oh dear. It's not very ugly but... you definitely lost that porcelain-skin glow. You look average now. Maybe even a little plain."
"What?" Nyxaria spun toward Lioren. "You gave me a fruit that gave me rashes?"
Lioren tapped his cheek, then gestured around, miming something with his wings and then pointing toward the east.
Nyxaria stared blankly.
Ari floated between them again. "He says—if you look too pretty, the males on the east side might cause you trouble. This is his way of… protecting you. Even if it's a bit silly."
"What was that fruit?" Nyxaria asked Ari.
Ari twirled lazily. "That fruit is called 'Mirrash Plum.' Causes temporary, harmless facial rashes. Your face is gonna look like it got attacked by a swarm of bees about ten minutes after eating it. Very useful when someone wants to look less… divine." She eyed Nyxaria pointedly.
Ari continued cheerfully, "Totally harmless. Doesn't hurt or itch. Just brings out blotchy red rashes. They'll fade in about three days."
Nyxaria raised her hand to her cheek. "So this is… to make me less attractive?"
"Exactly. Your face is a little too flawless, you know. The east side of the city is crawling with half-beasts who haven't seen a woman like you in years. Some are aggressive. Some feral. That kind of attention could get dangerous."
"Oh." Nyxaria blinked.
She looked at Lioren.
"Thanks," she said again, this time with a small smile.
Lioren's face lit up with relief. He nodded enthusiastically.
Lioren chirped once, bobbing his head as if proud.
He really was... Adorable.
But also dangerous.
Just like this strange warmth blooming in her chest.
Nyxaria stared at him a little longer.
She had no idea what to do with this kindness. It scared her, in a way that blades and poisons never had.