OUR LITTLE FIRE

[LENA]

"Luca, help me step over this rock, please!"

I scowled to myself as I pushed past Luca, who was helping Cece traverse the rocky path of the woods.

What rock? It's not even that big! What's so hard about avoiding a stupid piece of rock and choosing to step on flatter terrain anyway? Why did Cece have to ask him for help?

And why did Luca even invite her to come with us in the first place?

Ugh!

I'm so annoyed.

Earlier today, I was very excited when Luca told me that we would start on survivability lessons. Because that would mean going to the woods, a place that felt more like home than my actual home.

But Luca soon dashed my excitement when he suggested that we invite Cece along.

"Why?" I asked, trying to hide the desperation from showing in my voice.

Was it because of what happened yesterday? That heart-racing, breath-taking, euphoric moment of pure bliss between us?

It was only for a few seconds, I know, but it felt like time had slowed when we were both taken off guard, staring at each other, our faces just a thumb's length apart.

Just one movement… a slight lean forward… was all it took for our lips to meet…

Ahh!

The euphoria that seeped into my veins after that was insane. A sensation that left me giddy and foolishly happy as I replayed that moment over and over again in my head.

I can still remember the spark between us, created by that moment. A spark that told me there was a chance, no matter how small it was, that Luca also felt the same for me, the way I felt for him.

Which is… I honestly don't know what to call it. An inexplicable magnetism? Well, that sounded more confusing than ever.

Regardless, if we both felt the same way, then we could explore our feelings together.

I know. I haven't completely forgotten that I am destined to marry someone chosen by my father, and that I would be queen, but that's still in the future. An intangible concept.

Luca was in the present and very real. There's no harm in getting closer to him.

So this morning, I got up early and did my best to look pretty, excited to see him in training.

And that's when Luca surprised me with the despairing question.

"I just figured you'd want to spend time with your friend," he said, shrugging nonchalantly. "Cecelia wanted to join us, right? And since we're not dealing with weapons today, I thought you'd want her to come along."

No, I wanted to say. I want you all to myself!

What on earth? Especially after what happened yesterday?!

But Luca made a good point, and turning down his suggestion for no reason would make me look like a bad friend.

"Sure," I said, forcing a smile. "That's a good idea."

It wasn't. Aside from my selfish reasons, Cece and the woods weren't exactly a good match. I kept my hopes up that she would decline once she found out where we were going.

She didn't. She agreed in an instant.

And here we are, back to the present, trudging through the woods extra slowly because Cece had a hard time keeping up. Luca, being chivalrous, was assisting her for most of the walk, offering his hand out to her for support.

They have held hands more than ten times in less than five minutes into the walk.

It irks me so! I marched ahead so I wouldn't have to see them.

"Hold on," Luca called out from behind me. "This is a good spot."

We were in a small clearing in the woods. Trees and grass avoided growing in this spot for some reason, just twigs and dead leaves littering the brown earth.

"Thank heavens!" Cece said breathlessly. "We've been walking for ages!"

"We're not even that far off, Cece," I said. "Look. We can still see the palace towers in the distance."

"Is this what you've been doing the past two weeks, Lena?" she replied, pretending to look horrified. "Oh, you poor, poor thing! Why do this, when you can relax and do embroidery with me?"

I couldn't help it. I smiled. Cece and I may not agree on certain things, but her tendency to exaggerate always cracks me up.

"Survivability," Luca said. "The ability to cope in a situation where you are forced to survive on your own. With no tools, no help. Just you and your will to live."

Cece laughed. "Surely, we'll never find ourselves in that situation."

Luca didn't smile back. His face was as passive as ever. I could tell he was in his 'Captain mode.'

"A disaster is never predetermined," Luca said. "It could happen to anyone at any time. If you suddenly find yourself lost or stranded on your own in the wilderness, without any servants for you to order around to do your bidding, then how else can you hold on until help arrives? You won't. You will die."

"Oh, how morbid," Cece muttered.

I sniggered internally.

"Basic survival skills," Luca continued. "Fire, shelter, food, and water. As long as you have the skills to build the first two and know how to look for the last two, then you have a higher chance of survival.

"First, we are going to start a fire using only natural resources from our immediate surroundings. Let's start by gathering fuel. Look for any dry twigs you can find and bring them back here. Don't go too far. Stay in the clearing where I can see you."

Cece's mouth dropped open.

Biting back my laughter, I linked arms with her and dragged her away before she could complain.

"Come on, Cece," I said happily. "We're going to have so much fun!"

A short while later, we returned to the middle of the clearing armed with a bundle of twigs.

I was more than happy to do most of the work. Cece had followed me, pointing out dry-looking twigs for me to pick up, never actually picking up anything because she was afraid of creepy crawlies.

Completely understandable. I appreciated her attempt to help. Scouring through the forest litter and inspecting each twig for any dampness, was an activity I enjoyed.

Luca had used several small rocks to form a half-ring on the earthy ground. I dropped the bundle of twigs and crouched down beside him. We both looked up at Cece, who remained standing.

"Lady Cecelia, won't you join us?" Luca asked.

"I can see what you're doing from here, thank you," she replied, smiling. She probably didn't want to get her dress dirty.

Luca and I began to work, placing each twig on top of the rocks, loosely, to allow airflow. Then we gathered dry leaves and pushed them under the twigs.

He taught us two ways to start a fire. Using a flint, which he always carried around with him, and stones that could be found anywhere, to create sparks. If we didn't have flints, we could also use sticks and rub them against each other hard enough until it gets hot.

Both methods are hard, especially the second one. At this point, Cece had abandoned any attempt to try, seeing how tedious it was. Luca lent me his gloves so I could try out the rubbing method.

He started doing it first, rapidly rubbing a stick back and forth vertically against a bigger stick, and when he could tell that it was almost ready, he quickly switched places with me. My arms hurt, but I was determined to see results.

Thin smoke began curling out from the point of friction.

My eyes lit up. "Luca…!"

"Go on," he said, excitement coloring his voice as well. "Just a little bit more…"

Even Cece was curious. She bent over to watch.

The smoke bloomed thicker. I smelled something burning.

Luca shoved a handful of dried leaves against the source of the smoke as I continued rubbing the stick. Then he started blowing on the leaves.

A tiny flame came to life.

"Yes!" The three of us said at the same time.

Luca picked up the clumped leaves with the flame and carefully moved them under the pile of twigs. The flame grew bigger, consuming the rest of the tinder, and finally, catching on to the twigs.

My face was shining with sweat and glee as I looked at Luca from across our little fire. A fire we created by ourselves.

He looked at me proudly, the firelight dancing on his face, showing a beautiful contrast of his sharp angles and gentle smile, making him appear like a supreme deity. "You did it," he said softly.

I smiled back. "I did it."

He blinked, seemingly confused, and quickly averted his eyes.

He cleared his throat, and when he spoke, it was all business again. "Nice work. We'll rest for a bit. And then we'll move on to the next step. Shelter."

"Oh, my apologies," Cece interjected, feigning remorse. "But I really must leave, due to, umm, some matters I had forgotten to attend to." She gave a dainty laugh. "I deeply regret not being able to join in the next step. But please, do continue. Don't stop in my account."

I grinned at Cece. "Of course, Cece. We'll take you back."

My heart soared. I get to be alone with Luca again!