Koli stomped the ground in impatience as Rhyddid saddled his own glanus. Dew tried to soothe the beast with a few hand pats to its neck but it did little to help. She grew nervous as the thought of being bucked became more and more real. 

“Rein her in a bit,” Rhyddid instructed. 

Dew did as advised and tugged on the reins. Her glanus obeyed, stepping back a few feet before Dew relaxed. 

“Good.” Rhyddid steered close for a second, eyes wandering over her before he kicked his glanus forward. “Follow.” 

Dew sighed in relief as soon as his eyes left her. She hated being under that gaze. Eyes made her skins crawl, in general, but those cat eyes? It made her shudder with their intensity. 

Rhyddid started them at a slow trot. They headed down a forest path where lamps hung from thick branches to light the area. For the Fae, it would be an easy path to see, even if the branches blocked the little sunlight of their world. For Dew, she had to squint to see past the few feet in front of her. 

Once the stable and fields disappeared entirely behind them, Rhyddid slowed to ride beside Dew. 

“This trail is safe.” He glanced around them. “Patrols are often here and the trail is used frequently.” 

If Dew could see better, she suspected she would see furrows in the path from frequent use. 

“Thank you,” Dew also glanced around, trying to see what she could of the forest around them. 

“Even with the lamps, this is still dark for you, isn’t it?” Rhyddid frowned. 

“Beyond the edge of the path, yes, but I can see some in front of us… and I can see you.” Dew avoided his gaze and watched as the trail dipped into a valley. 

“I hope you can enjoy it…” Rhyddid’s frown persisted and he continued to watch her for any sign of her thoughts. 

Dew stuffed her discomfort down and offered him a soft smile. 

“I will with time. Riding like this is still very strange.” She reached forward to run a hand through Koli’s mane. “Do you braid your hors- glani?”

“I’m sure Koli will enjoy any attention you gift to her.”

Dew blushed at the compliment. 

They rode in silence for a while, following the path through dips and bends. It eventually led them to a small meadow that the trail split in half. The lamps cut off, their light picking up on the other side. Flowers glowed in the field offering minimal light for Dew to see. 

Rhyddid dismounted, removing the reins from his glanus and hanging them on a low branch. His mount immediately wandered off to check the ground’s growth. 

He turned his attention to Dew and helped her down. She grabbed his shoulders as her feet dangled in the air. Her chest pressed against his own and she slid down his body until she touched the ground. As quick as the wind, she felt a soft pair of lips graze her temple before he released her entirely. He turned his attention to her steed. 

“They won’t wander too far,” he said as he motioned her close. 

Koli joined his steed in sniffing the area. 

“What if something spooks them?” Dew stuck close to his side and observed the edges of her visibility. 

“Glani do not spook easily,” he grinned, almost feral. “They tend to charge rather than flee.” 

Dew recalled the sharp teeth of Koli. The chunks of meat the stable hands gifted some of the steeds further down after behaving well for their brushing. 

“I see…”

“Come,” Rhyddid tucked her into his side and led her from the trail. 

Dew forced her shoulders to relax at his close proximity. They were set to marry in six days and she would be much closer to him then. Wifely duties and such. The thought brought a heat to her cheeks and she breathed in deep to steady herself. She could worry over the endless outcomes later. 

“Dew,” Rhyddid called her from her thoughts and she saw him frowning down at her. “Sit with me.” 

She nodded and let herself be lowered down into the flowers and grass. She tucked her legs under her skirt and turned her full attention to Rhyddid. 

He sat beside her, one leg stretched in front of her while the other bent inward to give her space. He reclined back on his arms and watched the dark sky. 

“I trust your ladies have been helpful to you,” he spoke quietly into the air. 

“Neidr gave me a tour and has been teaching me some of your language. They have all been kind to Efa and myself.” Dew thought for a moment, trying to think of how they’d been helpful. “Cothi fetched Efa more materials for her sketching…”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Rhyddid glanced at her, eyes soft and a small smile teasing his lips. “What words has Neidr taught you?” 

Dew did her best to recite the vocabulary she managed to learn. Desserts and noble titles and small items like candles and forks. She could recall guard and servant roles as well. 

“You are… mawredd.” At his snort, heat raced down her back and she bit her lip. “Did I say that wrong?”

“No… I am Rhyddid.” Dew shook her head and opened her mouth to explain she’d been trying to say Your Majesty but Rhyddid grasped her chin gently. “To you, I am Rhyddid and only Rhyddid.” 

“Oh…” Dew nodded, his fingers still holding her. “Of course.” 

His thumb brushed upward along her cheek. He played with a rogue curl, feeling its softness, before tucking it behind her ear. 

Dew held her breath as Rhyddid fully sat up. His hand returned to caress her cheek with a soft touch. His pupils widened, pushing his ethereal green irises to a thin border. He gazed directly into her eyes, searching for something. 

Slowly, Rhyddid leaned in close. His warm breath fanned over her face and Dew fluttered her eyes in response. She let her lashes rest gently against her cheeks and waited for his next move. A soft press of lips to her own. The touch, simple and undemanding. 

Dew didn’t know how to respond exactly but she held still under him. She tilted her head after a moment of hesitation to get a better feel for him. To feel how he molded to her. It sent sparks dancing through her stomach. 

Rhyddid pulled away on a breath. His lips curved into a wide smile, eyes dilated until the green disappeared. 

Dew licked her suddenly dry lips and he honed in on the movement. She thought he might return for a second taste. Instead, he helped her stand and gathered their steeds.

“I’m sure your sister will want to hear of the ride.” Rhyddid hoisted her onto Koli’s back. “Let’s not keep them waiting.” 

Dew couldn’t be sure if she was happy to leave behind the moment or disappointed. On one hand, she had no idea how to respond to his sudden affection. On the other hand, she would have to learn how and the sooner, the better.