“Who are you?”

     I whipped around to see a young man standing there with an arrow hung behind him and a dagger on his side. “Who are you ?” I retorted, keeping my eyes on the ground.

     He seemed taken aback at my harsh tongue and no gentleness.

     “I'm Knox.” His crystal clear voice cut through the cold, dead air.

    “Pleasure to meet, Sir Knox.” I curtsied and turned away to do what I came here to do. I was afraid of being alone with a stranger in the woods.

      I wove around the trees and towards the berry-picking area that only I knew of.

     “I didn't catch your name.” He stood there, as I glimpsed at his eyes. Blue

   “Simply because I did not give it to you.” I gently sat down onto the ground, clearing out my cloak so it did not get dirty.

     Knox just crouched down beside me. He just tilted his head and stared at me.

    God, this man would not just leave me alone. And why is he being so. . .different?

     I reached for a berry but big, warm hands wrapped around my wrist and stopped me.

     “I asked for your name, young lady.”

   I tugged my hand but his grip was made of iron. “Why? I am irrelevant anyways. ”

    “True, you are irrelevant. But at least tell me why you won't look me in my eyes directly. ”

    “Because where I come from, it is not proper nor appropriate for an unmarried young woman to look into a man's eyes.”

     He shrugged, “Well, I suppose your insignificant sharp tongue can make up for your gaze.”

     My face burned at the insult of my un-ladylikeness. If Mother were to hear of this. . .she'd kill me.

     “Fine, I should get going. The sun will set soon. ” Knox stood up. “You should too, we don’t want that pretty face of yours to get marred by the vicious legendary Wolf King that roams these woods. . . ” His voice hinted at a malicious tone.

    I gasped at the mention of the Wolf King and accidentally met his eyes. A tingling sensation appeared - not seen nor heard. . .but rather felt. . .

   I quickly looked away and hurriedly picked up my stuff. Then I set out back home, not bothering to see if he had left too or just had stayed.

     I pulled my hood down even lower, to give myself the privacy of a small smile.

    Those two seconds of meeting his eyes were enough to see that scornful look turn into a gentle half-smile and that handsome face!

     And I knew then that his face would be one to remember forever.