HERS TO PROTECT

Chapter 9

Shared Moments

In the stillness of the night, Lia quickly concealed herself in the tall grass, her heart racing as she carefully observed a figure approaching the hut. The darkness seemed to hold its breath. Without hesitation, she leaped out, intercepting the figure before it could get any closer. When she recognized him, he raised a weapon defensively, poised to strike. Lia dodged his swing, her adrenaline surging, and held the edge of her knife against his throat.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice steady despite her pounding heart.

"It's Ethan," he replied, a hint of confusion in his tone.

A tense quiet passed between them. Slowly, Lia lifted the blade from his neck, exhaling deeply as relief washed over her, mingled with embarrassment. "Ethan, I'm sorry," she said, lowering the knife. "I thought you were an enemy."

Ethan took a deep breath, still shaken. "No problem. Better safe than sorry."

She sheathed her knife at her waist, her mind racing. "What are you doing out here? When I woke up and found you gone, I became anxious. I thought something had happened to you."

Ethan's pleasure at her concern faded as the reason for his departure crashed back into his mind. "I saw someone. Someone's out there."

"Who? Who did you see?" Lia's eyes widened in horror as she examined the darkness, their night looking heavier.

"I don't know," Ethan admitted, shaking his head.

Lia's tension eased slightly, but the concern lingered. "Let's go back inside," she suggested, her voice softer now.

"Okay," Ethan agreed, though his heart raced, still caught up in the whirlwind of emotions stirred by Lia's concern.

As they returned to the cottage, Ethan saw Lia's lovely moonlight shadows and appreciated her. Once inside, Lia sat on a wooden chair and Ethan across the table, their tension lingering.

"How did you move so silently?" Ethan asked, his voice low and tense. "Even with the moon so bright, I didn't notice you. You're like a chameleon!"

"Silly!" Lia chuckled, her smile brightening the dim room. "I'm just used to blending in."

Ethan sat down, trying to ease the tension that clung to them. "Let's talk to ease the nerves."

"I'm not scared," Lia replied, a hint of defiance in her tone.

"You're not, but I am," Ethan admitted, shocking himself.

"Did I scare you earlier?" Lia glanced at Ethan's neck, noticing a trace of blood. Guilt washed over her. "I'm sorry. In these instances, all your senses need to be on high alert. Fortunately, I managed to spot you. What if it had been the enemy?"

"Yet, you're more terrifying than any enemy," Ethan said, a nervous laugh escaping him. "I might have lost my head if I hadn't spoken up."

Lia chuckled, the atmosphere lightening. "Yeah, I'd have gone all the way if you hadn't spoken."

Ethan touched his neck, still feeling the phantom sting of her knife. "You're something else. You're an amazing swimmer, resourceful, and seem fearless."

"I also get scared sometimes," Lia admitted, her voice quieting. "I'm afraid of being left alone."

"Don't tell me you learned all that from being a Girl Scout," Ethan teased. "I don't believe it. I think your background or career has shaped you."

"You're right," Lia answered as she looked proud. "I'm a soldier, an army officer."

"Army? Seriously?" Ethan was astonished. "An officer too? General? Captain? What's your rank?"