“Miss, can you hear me?”

Alice’s eyes fluttered open. She was surprised, but not upset, to be greeted by the ever-dazzling blue gaze leaving her breathless for a second time.

“Get up. We’re leaving,” the young man announced in a firm tone, reminding her he was nowhere near as charming as he looked.

Alice placed Roger inside the gathering basket with some fresh grass to snack on. The rabbit accepted her peace offering with a happy snort. Alice kissed his forehead and rejoined her not-so-willing guide, who was busy burying his campfire with a layer of dirt and leaves.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Hiding our tracks from whoever was responsible for the snake attack.”

Alice let out a giggle. “Oh, come now! Everyone knows the bigger the forest, the bigger the animals. I’m sure that snake was just hunting for its next meal.”

“Or maybe that’s what our assailants want us to believe,” he growled, annoyed.

Alice was starting to find the presence of a paranoid stranger rather tiring, but nevertheless, she accompanied him east through the forest. The hours dragged silently until Alice could no longer stand it.

“Good sir, it seems I failed to ask for your name last night.”

“Is that so?”

There was a long pause. “Well?” Alice asked.

“Well, what?”

“Well, what is your name?”

His eyes gained a mischievous glint. “I’d prefer not to say.”

“That wouldn’t be very polite. I already told you mine, so it’s only right you tell me yours,” she retorted.

“And why must I abide by your idea of right and wrong?”

“Because it’s only fair!”

There was a chuckle. “This might come as a shock to you, but life isn’t very fair.”

To say his words left Alice flabbergasted would be an understatement. Needless to say, the rest of their journey continued without conversation. Not even his scent of roses could lift her mood.

As evening drew near, Alice’s feet ached and she was so hungry even the grass she gave Roger was starting to sound delicious.

“We’re almost there!” the man said from up ahead.

Alice tried not to let her excitement show as they reached the outskirts of the forest. In the distance, she saw a village five times the size of her hometown.

“Wow,” she breathed. “I didn’t know a village could be this big!”

“That’s because it’s not a village, it’s a city. And if I recall, there should be an inn somewhere close by.”

“What’s an inn?”

“A place where travelers can find temporary lodging in exchange for money.”

Alice froze. “Money?”

The young man stopped dead in his tracks. “You do know what money is?”

“Certainly! It’s just…”

“Just what?”

“I forgot to grab some before I fled,” she admitted.

"Yet you had time to pack an entire rabbit?”

“Roger is family!”

He groaned. “Why am I not surprised?”

“There’s no need to fret. I’ll just explain my circumstances to the owners of the inn. I’m sure we can work something out.”

“You’d be naïve to think that something won’t include taking advantage of you.”

She sighed. “Not everyone in this world is as evil as you imagine.”

“You obviously haven’t seen enough of the world!” the man shot back. “A pretty woman like yourself should be aware of the need for prudence.”

Alice didn’t know why, but she felt embarrassed by his response. “Wh-what is that supposed to mean?”

“Never mind,” he exhaled slowly. “The point is you aren’t safe here.”

“I thought you said this city was part of a neutral zone?”

“Just because this territory is free from war doesn’t mean it’s free from danger. Trust me.”

“Trust?” Alice scoffed. “That’s rich, coming from a guy who won’t even tell me his name.”

“What does my name have to do with anything?”

“My aunt taught me that trust only works if it goes both ways.”

The man grimaced. “But there is no incentive for me to trust you. Likewise, it would be unwise of you to put your confidence in me simply because I offered to be your escort. What if I was trying to lure you into a trap?”

Alice threw her hands up in defeat. “Maybe I don’t need to know a person’s every thought to know when they’re good because maybe I base my trust on what a person chooses to say and do, not on everything they could have said or done.”

The young man appeared taken aback by her words, shocked even. But after a moment, his blue eyes softened.

“And maybe the only reason I wanted to know your name in the first place was so the two of us could part ways as acquaintances rather than as strangers!” she added.

“Very well,” he said quietly. “In that case, you may call me Myles.”

Why did his name have to sound so gallant?

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Myles.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” he replied with a slight grin.

Alice became flush as Myles held her gaze. “P-perhaps this would be an appropriate time to express my appreciation for your help. I might not have made it this far without you.”

“It was no trouble at all, I assure you.”

Alice averted her gaze in an effort to calm her heart, which was suddenly racing.

“Now that we’ve reached our destination, all that’s left is to ask if there’s anything I can do to repay your kindness.”

Myles nodded. “Actually, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention my name to anyone. I do not like the idea of people knowing my name without knowing anything about me, and I do not like the idea of people knowing anything about me when I don’t know anything about them.”

Alice found his paranoia was, at least, consistent. “I will do as you have asked. You have my word.”

“Then you have my deepest thanks.”

Without knowing why, she gave a bashful smile. Myles seemed amused by her reaction, which only confused her further.

“Anyways, it’s getting late,” Alice mumbled. “I saw a horse stable not too far back I can use for shelter.”

“That won’t be necessary.” The young man handed Alice a leather pouch full of silver coins. “This should cover your expenses for a few days.”

Alice had never seen so much money in all her life. “I can’t possibly accept this!”

“Why not?”

“Because I could never hope to repay such a large sum,” she exclaimed.

“Then consider it a gift. Since we are no longer strangers, the gesture should be acceptable, yes?”

Alice shook her head in disbelief. She’d never known anyone to be so unpredictable!

“I should get going,” Myles noted, glancing up at the evening sky.

“Why not stay here until morning?”

“Unfortunately, my journey cannot be delayed any longer."

Alice looked towards the forest anxiously. “But isn’t it dangerous to travel at night?”

“Shouldn’t you focus on your own safety before worrying about mine?” he teased.

“Am I not allowed to be concerned for both?”

Myles turned back to her with a curious expression. As their eyes met, Alice noticed the scent of vanilla mixing with his rosy aroma.

Was that the smell of…happiness?

“I hope we meet again, Alice. See that you take care of yourself in the meantime.”

Alice watched him walk away, wondering if the two of them would ever meet again.