The Princess in the Red Cape

Chapter Twelve

Red turned back to the path and began to walk. She heard Hunter running to catch up with her. 

 "Red?" he asked. She didn't answer. "Red, are you mad?"

"Nope."

"Then what are you?"

"Perfectly happy." she said, flashing him a dangerous smile.

"Red, you have to know that this wasn't my fault. I'd never do anything to hurt you."

"You know what wasn't my fault? The slaughter of Marian. But I still did it. Her friends probably hate me, and she'll probably never forgive me even in death. Even though it wasn't your fault, I have this dull ache in my chest every time I look at you or hear your voice, it's there, and you're the one causing it." Hunter looked stunned and Red took a deep breath. "I'm not being fair. I know I'm not being fair. But I- you don't understand. I didn't know- I don't know- These feelings are new to me. And seeing you like that when I don't know how to deal with my own feelings..."

 Hunter sat down on a log and she went to sit next to him.

"Red, is it possible that I wasn't attracted to Marian?"

"We both know how enchantments work. They amplify, they don't create."

"Yes, but I've never been attracted to Marian. She has the personality of a potato sack. But did you see what she was wearing?" He asked. Red nodded. "She was wearing clothes that my mind associated with you."

Red's mind whirred as she tried to understand what he was implying. Was his attraction to her what got them into that mess?

"Hunter?"

"Yes?"

"You remember that map from Mr. Spriggens caravan? The one that was supposed to lead to your heart's desire?"

His eyebrow quirked.

"Yeah, the one that was broken, right?"

"It- it wasn't broken." she turned to be face-to-face with him. "It- It kinda sorta... pointed to you." 

"Yeah?" he asked, surprised.

"Yeah."

"Hey, Red?"

"Hm?"

"I think I know why you didn't pull away that night."

"And why's that?"

"Cause you have it bad for me." he smirked.

"You think so?"

"I know so. You have that look that my old buddies used to call the please kiss me look."

"The- the please kiss me look?" Red asked laughing.

"Yes. And sometimes when girls look at me like that, I oblige them."

"Are you planning on obliging me?"

"That depends, what's in it for me?"

"Nothing good, considering I've never kissed anyone before." she admitted.

"Guess I'll just have to teach you then." he said, leaning in.

Red's lips tingled and the fluttery feelings were back. She leaned forward, too. But before their lips connected, a voice sounded from behind them.

"Who are you?" the voice asked.

Red didn't want to acknowledge the voice. She was so close to Hunter, so damn close.