Home Tutor Bodyguard Blaine! (1)

A fire glowed softly, its flickering light casting dancing shadows against the dimly lit cave floor.

The rhythmic crackling of the flames was nearly drowned out by the rush of the nearby river, its rapids surging against jagged rocks.

On the embers, a slab of meat sizzled, its pink flesh darkening to a rich, golden brown.

Fat dripped into the fire, sending up fragrant wisps of smoke and filling the campgrounds with a pleasant aroma.

Lifting the cooked meal carefully, Blaine wordlessly handed it to Cecelia.

The princess accepted it, her stomach twisting with hunger as she gazed down at the steaming cut.

Without proper tableware to eat with, the two youths resorted to washing flat river stones and using them as makeshift plates.

It was a crude solution, but they didn't really have much of an option.

A trickle of drool escaped the corner of Cecelia's mouth as her grip tightened on the dagger she held.