---- Damien finally stopped, turning to look at her with an arched brow.


    You''re human? Couldve fooled me.


    Alexia rolled her eyes, trudging past him.


    You suck at humour.


    So please dont try.


    Or ] may die of before I die of walking.


    Come on, he said and when she turns around her heart stopped in her chest.


    Ile was down on his knees, crouching in front of her.


    Offering her his broad back.


    Top on.


    She blinked, staring at him in shock.


    What? You''re slowing us down.


    Piggyback or I leave you behind.


    Alexia was hesitant.


    Her palms turn mmy and her mind spirals.


    No man had ever...


    offered her that.


    Won''t she be too heavy? What if his back hurts...


    ---- what if- Alex.


    I won''t be asking you again.


    Um okay.


    She bites her lip to ce her hands on his shoulder and she could hear her heart Lub dub in her chest.


    Tt may not mean anything for him...


    but for her? It meant much more...she could live a lifetime in this moment.


    Getting cared by someone.


    By him...


    of all.


    Here.


    ce your foot on my hand and hop up.


    He offers her his palm.


    That same hand that woman.


    in her vige had faught to hold once.


    The hand that had been held in the hands of the werewolf Princess.


    How can she? A nobody like her ce her feet on it.


    She is not worthy of him...


    Tt-it''s fine.


    I will get up without it.


    ---- Before she could resist, his hands grab her ankles and plop.


    Her chest crashes on his back and her arms instinctively coil around his neck.


    Her heart leaps into her throat as his hand easily hooked under her knees and he stood.


    She couldn''t help marvel at his strengthhis steps barely faltered under her weight.


    Woah, she eximed, chivalry isnt dead after all.


    Don''t get used to it, he said dryly, looking ahead but she could hear the faintest trace of humor in his voice This doesn''t make me your personal carriage.


    Oh, absolutely not, Alexia teased, her cheek reluctantly resting against his broad shoulder.


    But it does offer the best view I''ve had all day.


    He grunted, ignoring her jab, thinking she was talking about the view ahead when her eyes were fixated on his sharp features.


    As they continued, Alexia slowly rxed, her tense ---- muscles cken against his, she rested her chin on his shoulder, and her arms stay loosely draped around his neck.


    They continue to walk for hours when the forest opened into a meadow aze with wildflowers, thete sun painting everything in hues of gold and violet.


    Damien paused, his usual guarded expression, softening as he took in the view.


    Wow, Alexia whispered, pushing on his shoulders to lifi herself up and he grunted.


    Damn woman.


    Wait.


    She didn''t.


    Sliding off his back and stumbling slightly she darted towards thevender garden with a wide grin on her lips.


    Those hazel eyes light up.


    T''s...


    beautiful.


    She runs her fingers through the blooms, almost delicately, as if afraid to hurt them, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten as she stepped into the heaven