A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

Will was sitting in the seat he had taken up before. There was now a tea kettle over the fire. He indicated for her to retake her seat, but she did happen to note that his eyes traveled to her chest area for a moment. A laugh escaped his lips, causing a light dose of heat to hit her cheeks. She sat down in a huff. After she crossed her arms, (f/n) asked, "What?"

"That undershirt looks rather odd with that dress, no?"

"Well, excuse me for wanting to be more covered, especially in winter," she countered, glancing away from him. If there was one thing that she wouldn't act about, it was her articles of clothing. For as long as she could prevent it, she would make sure that he wouldn't see too much of her. He was lucky right now that he could see her exposed arms. The less skin was all the better.

(F/n) didn't want to send the wrong message. She needed things to go smoothly on her end, but trying to win his sympathy towards her wouldn't be easy. This male's kindness was probably all an act on its own. If he got bored of her, he would reveal the fangs that he currently kept so well hidden. Still, she couldn't let too much of her actual personality come through.

So, she cast her gaze to the window. Outside, she couldn't see much due to the light's reflection on the glass, but she let fear glaze over her eyes. She tightened her fingers around the skirt more as she allowed a visible shiver to run up her spine.

His amused look fell upon noting her state. "I see that you're still worried. It makes sense since it sounds like your husband truly meant his threat." He stood from his chair and headed into the next room where he pulled a blanket off of the bed. Returning, he set it upon her shoulders before he wrapped it around her. It was obvious to notice that he had purposefully glided his fingers across her upper arms. She made it just as clear that she tensed under his touch.

Taking his seat once more, he continued, "Though, I would like to hear why your husband thinks that you cheated on him. That's quite an accusation to make."

Holding the blanket around her more, she permitted her bottom lip to quiver from terror. She acted as though she had seen the grim reaper himself ready to execute her. "H-he w-was..." (F/n) paused and swallowed to force away the stutter. "He was so angry when he returned home from his trip to town. I think that something went wrong with his business. Or, maybe, he didn't sell enough wood. I'm not sure; he never told me what happened.

"When he asked me to follow him to the bedroom, I refused as I could tell what he wanted. I didn't think that ..." She looked down at her fingers and played with them a bit while a little bit of heat entered her cheeks. "I'm sorry ... it's just awkward to tell someone that I barely know this, but ..." she peered back up at him meekly before glancing back down, "I suppose that your generosity deserves an explanation." He gave no movement to protest, but when she looked up, she saw him giving her one of his reassuring smiles again.

Nodding in response, she continued. "I didn't think that it would be right to consummate our marriage when he was so enraged. He thought otherwise and grabbed me before he left these marks on my skin." Her fingers instinctively went up to the two bruises. "But, I managed to push him away and create some distance between us.

"My second rejection of him caused his fury to rise, and he started to yell that I had been cheating on him. He shouted that was why I had never accepted a proposal of his to be more intimate. When I tried to reason with him that wasn't the case, he lost it and started to threaten my life. From there, I tossed my wedding ring at him and bolted. I didn't have time to carry anything with me, except a few pieces of dried foods in our kitchen and the clothes on my back."

In response to her conclusion, the tea kettle made a high pitch screech. The sound caused her to jump in her seat before her attention spun to the window and door. Will stood quickly and lifted the kettle off before he placed it on the fireplace mantle. "It's alright. It was just the tea kettle," he mentioned in a calming voice. Meeting his gaze, she nodded slowly before she relaxed.

Walking around the table, he opened a cupboard and pulled out some cups for them. Once the tea was poured and the loose leaves strained, he set the tea kettle down and handed a cup to her, but he didn't return to his seat right after. He stood in front of her before he wrapped his hands around hers. "I'm truly sorry to hear that your husband assumed such a dreadful thing." Will, gently and slowly, moved his hands away, which allowed his fingers to glide like light feathers over her skin. A small chill ran through her body, and she drew her hands closer to her chest.

As he headed back to his chair, he remarked, "I'm sure it's because you were waiting for that right moment. You didn't wish to give your innocence up until you found that perfect time. Am I correct?" He spun on his heel and took his seat again. His cup was soon in his hands before he took a cautious sip.

She could tell that he was trying to be understanding, but despite his considerate appearance, she saw for a second the monster within. It was as though she had seen Tarhuinn's smile from her nightmare again, but, this time, the smile wasn't one of murderous intent. It displayed only a wild lust and gluttonous curiosity. In that instant, it felt like she was looking at some beast hiding in the shadows. That beast was waiting to come out and have a taste of the prey before him.

Despite the difficulty in doing so, she forced back the dread that had nearly dominated her countenance. Instead, she just grew more embarrassed. "Well ... yes. I know that's childish, but I didn't want my memory of such an event to be a terrible one."

"That's not childish. It's actually quite understandable, but it begs the question of why not on your wedding night. Surely, that would've been a fond memory, or were you forced into the marriage with your husband? Of course, you don't have to answer. I'm diving into personal material after all."

Shaking her head lightly, she answered, "It's fine. It's nothing to hide. If I were to hide anything, it wouldn't be my wedding." She let out a light sigh while sorrow reigned in her (e/c) eyes. "We never grew intimate on our wedding night because my husband's mother had been very ill. It was a miracle that she could make it to our wedding in the first place, but her illness finally took her on that day. My husband spent the night caring for her until she passed away. That night and the days following just never seemed to offer that ideal moment. I just wish that he hadn't taken to such an allegation against me. I had still cared for him, but after that display ..." Another shiver ran up her spine, and she curled up more on the chair as grief was replaced with terror.

"I must say that he did make a grave mistake. In his fit of anger, he let go of a beautiful woman. He accused you of something that you're clearly not capable of."

Staring up at him, she permitted her cheeks to warm up some, though; she desired to receive no compliment from him. She reminded herself that she just had to maintain this act until she had him snared and ready to go to the pixies. Still, it's like the beast had now shown more of itself. It was as though he was presenting a challenge to her on whether he could bed her or not. Could he take a treasured trait of her for himself?

It sickened her to her core, and she nearly called out for Tarhuinn. This was one man whom she wouldn't mind being killed by her husband. If things turned out well and their journey bore positive results, she wouldn't stop Tarhuinn from going after the man before her. He was a true menace.

"Honestly, I must say that I hope this man is dead. That way you can be free of him and find that perfect moment with someone more deserving of your love." Hearing this, she swiftly looked to the ground. She heard a cup being set down on the table a little harder than the past times as though he had finished his drink. Footsteps sounded before she soon saw his feet near her. "Forgive me. That was indecent of me to say."

A hand rested on top of her head. She kept her gaze off of him, moving her head away in her established shy manner. "Why don't you finish your tea? I'm going to head outside and take a bath. And, don't worry. I won't let that man come into my home if he's still alive." He gave her a gentle pat on the head before going into the bedroom, grabbing some clothes and heading outside.

With the door just there, it was tempting to bolt for it, but he most likely had spelled it in some fashion. Besides if she tried to leave, he would no doubt see her. Not to mention, there was only one other window besides the one by the main door. The bedroom window faced the lake as well.

Sending constant reminders to herself that she couldn't leave yet, she turned her back to the door and faced the cup on the table. Personally, she was worried that he had done something to the tea. He drank from the same tea kettle, but, perhaps, he could've done something that would only affect her and not him because of his magic.

Regardless, she couldn't very well not drink and eat. Starving herself would do her no good. She would need her strength to win this battle. So, she wrapped her hands around the cup and brought it to her lips, taking careful sips. The mint tea did taste good, and there was nothing odd about its taste. Right now, she just needed to inwardly celebrate as Will seemed to not doubt her story.