Chapter 12

As the fire crackled softly in the background, the two sat across from each other, the space between them filled with an easy tension that was slowly shifting toward something else. The firelight flickered off the edges of Darius's rugged features, casting dancing shadows across his face, and Arinna couldn't help but find it amusing how seriously he took himself despite the humor lurking in his eyes.

"So, Darius," Arinna began, leaning back casually against the wall of the small shelter, "tell me, what's your secret? You're out here in the wilderness, injured, barely a scratch on you— yet you look like someone who's been through battles with wild beasts. Did you wrestle with a dragon and win?"

Darius raised an eyebrow, his usual stoic demeanor slipping just a bit. "I don't have time for dragons," he said, a touch of sarcasm in his voice. "I prefer to deal with more... manageable challenges."

Arinna stifled a laugh. "Oh, I see. So you're one of those 'mysterious warrior types.' Brooding, dangerous, with a past shrouded in darkness?"

He gave her a deadpan stare. "Something like that."

Arinna snorted. "Right. Of course. What is it about men like you that think they can get away with being all 'brooding and mysterious'? You've got the look, the scowl, the whole 'I've seen things' vibe going. But let me guess— the truth is that you're just a man with a bad case of the grumpies?"

Darius blinked at her, his lips twitching as if fighting a smile. "The grumpies?" he repeated in mock disbelief. "Is that your professional assessment of me?"

"Well, yeah," Arinna said, trying her best to hold back the laughter threatening to bubble out. "I mean, you've been nothing but serious since I found you. You barely even cracked a joke when I saved your life. You're like... a walking riddle wrapped in an enigma, dressed in a cloak of mystery."

"Oh, I'm sorry, did I not entertain you enough?" Darius shot back with a raised brow, leaning forward and crossing his arms. "I was unconscious for most of it. You know, the whole 'nearly dying in the woods' thing? Kind of took up my attention."

Arinna grinned. "I was starting to think you were just too serious for your own good. Where's the fun in that?"

Darius chuckled, but it was low and quiet, like he wasn't sure whether to admit that she was right or not. "I can have fun," he said, his tone suddenly light. "I just prefer to pick my moments."

Arinna couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Oh, really? Do tell. What does 'fun' look like for someone as mysterious as you?"

He leaned back and put his feet up, crossing them in a comfortable pose. "Well, for starters, it involves not being rescued by women in forests. That's always the least fun part." He shot her a teasing look. "I was just starting to enjoy the view when you interrupted my solitude."

Arinna laughed outright, shaking her head. "So you enjoy being unconscious in the woods? That's a new one."

"Only when it's in complete silence," Darius retorted, his voice full of mock offense. "But then you come along, ruining my zen state."

"Sorry to burst your bubble," Arinna said, still grinning. "But in case you missed it, you weren't exactly in a state of peace. You looked like you were about to have a permanent nap. If I hadn't found you, you might have missed your chance to be grumpy for today."

Darius's lips curled up slightly, and Arinna could swear there was a glint of amusement in his eyes now. "You know," he said slowly, his tone teasing, "you've got a lot of nerve, calling me grumpy when you're the one holding a nine-tailed fox like it's your personal bodyguard."

Arinna blinked, looking down at the fox curled in her lap, who was lazily licking its paws. "Oh, don't worry about him," she said casually, scratching the fox behind its ears. "He's just here to help me stay out of trouble. Keeps the grumpy ones in check."

The fox yawned dramatically, as if on cue, and Arinna could swear it rolled its eyes at Darius.

Darius leaned in slightly, narrowing his gaze. "Is it always this easy for you to make friends?" He gestured toward the fox with a smirk. "I'm assuming you've got a whole army of woodland creatures at your disposal, don't you?"

Arinna raised an eyebrow. "You're the one who tried to threaten me with a dagger. If anyone's making friends here, it's definitely not you."

Darius's smile widened into a grin, the first genuine one Arianna had seen. "Fair enough. I guess I did deserve that."

"Yup," Arinna said matter-of-factly. "But hey, I'm still glad I saved you. Could've been super awkward if you just stayed unconscious forever."

"Well, it's nice to know I'm not entirely ungrateful," Darius replied, his voice now more sincere. "Seriously, though, thank you. I wouldn't have made it without you."

Arinna waved him off, but her smile was softer now. "It's no big deal. It's just... what I do."

"But don't think this means I'm going to stop being mysterious," Darius added with a wink. "That's a part of my charm. Can't go losing it just because you saved my life."

"Of course not," Arinna replied with a smirk. "A man's gotta keep his mystery."

Darius laughed, the sound a low rumble in his chest. "Exactly."

The two sat there for a moment, the fire crackling and the occasional rustling of leaves outside the shelter breaking the silence between their playful exchanges.

Arinna glanced at the fox, who was now lazily stretching out on the floor. "So... when do I get to hear the real story, Darius?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You want my real story?"

"Absolutely," Arinna said, leaning forward, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "I've saved your life, now you owe me the whole truth."

"Ah, well, that's an entirely different thing," Darius said with a mock sigh, shaking his head. "I guess I'll have to warn you... it's a really long story. You sure you're ready?"

Arinna's smile was as wide as it was mischievous. "Try me."

And with that, Darius leaned back in his seat, his mysterious smile returning. "Well then, prepare yourself, because this is where things get really... interesting."