The cottage was a distance away. He turned around to look at Diana.
I have lost all my senses.
Those words kept repeating themselves in Orion’s mind, over and over again. Why did he believe this was the correct thing to do? Yes, it is. Because in his heart of heart deepest part of his soul he could not turn his back on someone in need of help. If nothing else, his parents would be able to tell him what he should do.
“How are you feeling?” He’d asked her once more, knowing he was repeating himself but couldn’t think of what else to ask. She kept saying she was fine when she clearly wasn’t. A cold wind had picked up, the scent of musky earth in the air. Rain was coming.
“We better hurry. There is a storm coming.” He said, watching the dark sky.
“How can you be certain?” She asked.
He pointed to the dark clouds on the horizon, then his nose. “You learn to smell the rain when you’ve lived out here as long as I have.”
It got a chuckle out of Diana. The chill in the air became more noticeable, and Diana started shivering. His coat was old, threadbare, and worn from years of use. It was a testament to his mother’s abilities that she could use whatever leftover scraps to fit his oversized frame. But it would fall on her like a blanket and that would keep her warm. He shrugged it off and offered it to her, hopeful that wouldn’t be too large. She accepted the coat with a quiet thanks. Orion noted how small she looked with the levy article of clothing over her thin shoulders. The bottom of it trailed after her like a train.
“I never gave you my name.” She aloud, putting an end to the quiet. “My name is Diana Archer.”
“Pleasure to meet you Lady Archer. My name is Orion, Orion Hunter.” He said, hoping he did it all properly. He wasn’t used to being around the nobility and nothing about this made sense to him.
“I’m not much of a lady, not anymore.” She said with a bitter chuckle.
Orion was curious but asked nothing. Something about her chuckle sent an uncomfortable shiver down his spine that he could easily blame on the weather. At last, he could see his home. A fire had been started, Orion could just make out the warm yellow glow from the windows. He was aware of the grumbling in his stomach, also aware that poor Diana, just have been starving as well.
“How far away is this cottage?” Diana asked.
“It's just around…” Orion trailed off, realizing that their home was well guarded with a series of protection spells traded off with the Good Neighbors. Orion and his family could find it with no problem but to an outsider like Diana, all she’d see was a dense forest. It was meant to confuse, to befuddle outsiders, and sometimes — only if they meant harm-to wander until they came to harm themselves. Orion hated that paper but his parents told him how necessary it was. Diana didn’t know any of this, thus she was completely at a loss.
Not wanting her to panic or feel as if he was leading her into some kind of danger, Orion held out his hand to her. “My home is very well hidden. You won’t be able to see it yet until we’ve approached it.”
Diana recoiled, suspicious. “Why?”
Lie as little as possible. “Do you remember the witch hunts?” He asked her.
This took her aback. “Yes.” She answered with narrowed eyes. “But, what does that have to do with your house?”
“Father thought it best to hide us. Neighbors accused each other of things no one had done, all for the sake of fear-mongering and some gold coins.” He explained, his face grim. Diana nodded her head, understanding.
A crash of thunder convinced the already frazzled Diana to take his hand once more. She’d trusted him twice now and he intended to prove he was worthy to go it. In just a few steps Diana was transported from wild woodland to a lovely cottage. It looked warm, welcoming, and safe. The cold burst of wind and further boom of thunder above drove them straight to the front door just as the rains started to fall. The inside smelled of freshly baked bread and in a small cauldron over the fire was a stew.
His mother was cutting vegetables, not looking up from her task as she greeted him. “Hello, my boy! Glad you made it back before the rain. How was your…”
She paused mid-sentence, noticing Diana for the first time. His large coat fell to the floor in a wet puddle. Orion panicked, a little afraid of his mother’s reaction. He’d opened his mouth to give a hasty explanation when his mother interrupted.
“Oh! You poor lamb!” She cried out, running toward Diana. She removed the shawl from her shoulders, placing it around the young woman’s shivering body. Shooing her son away so that she could move her to a more comfortable chair.
“Heaven's mercy, what on Earth has happened?” His mother demanded.
Orion only told his mother the barest details, choosing to remove the chase that brought them together. Diana did not correct him or fill in the details. He would leave that to her if she so chooses to. He was also still shaken up from what had happened. His mother eyed him suspiciously. She understood there was more to unpack but preferred to wait until she could speak with him one on one.
He excused himself to leave for his bedroom and change. Allowing himself to process everything that happened in the last few hours, he felt afraid. For his family and that terrified stranger in their living room. Lying back on his bed, he wondered what they could do now? It was out of the question for her to stay overnight. It would be too inappropriate!
The impropriety was a serious problem. It could damage her reputation further, for society was ever obsessed with a woman's virtue. It would also certainly demonize his family. He was also very aware of his father’s potential anger upon discovering Diana in their house. But he did not regret helping her. Whatever may come, he knew he was right to help her.
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