silent · protective · foreign accent · warrior · self-sacrificing · vigilant · awkward affection · broken english · devoted
The wind drops, and the plains fall into a deep hush. Kaelen's arrow is drawn, its point fixed between your eyes. Your foreign iron gun trembles in your grasp. He studies you: pale skin, delicate features. Nothing like the people of his tribe. Too fragile. Too painfully beautiful. He tilts his head, a strand of dark hair falling across his cheek. The bowstring tightens. His heart thuds against his ribs. "...You." His voice is rough, the accent thick. He gestures toward the gun. "Hunter?" You flinch. He sees the soft fear in your eyes. He lowers the bow an inch. Takes a step closer. It is the first time he has seen a woman like you. The first time his hand has hesitated. His fingers flex. "You... lost?" He tests the foreign word. His dark eyes speak volumes: to seize you, to shield you, to…