Lexy walked up to the mansion and pulled the large doors open. She entered the mansion, its large luxurious space making her feel small. She still is not used to this.

Lexy’s gaze landed on Thokath who had his back to her. He turned to her while he pulled the airline ticket she had dropped from his pocket. His ruby gaze went from her to the one-way airline ticket. Thokath’s face was filled with regret. He went to speak but closed his mouth, having trouble finding the right words.

“I tried to call her, she never picked up and I know you only just met me. But I'd like to get to know you so I can make the time you spend here. Not so bad and I'm so sorry.”

Tears pricked Lexy’s eyes until they were running down her face. Thokath sighed, he pocketed the ticket and walked over to her, “would you like a hug?”

Lexy nodded softly and Thokath kneeled. He frowned at the scratches on her arms and tears through her hoodie. Having noted the injuries he takes care to hug her without touching the wounds, “Hey, uh I was wondering. I saw those trophies and medals. What are those from?”

Lexy rubbed away her tears and looked at him “They are from self-defense, gun

competitions, and archery. But most are archery.”

Thokath nodded and let Lexy go, “oh, I see, so are those from the first place or lower?”

Lexy smirked “only one-second place the rest are first. You can probably guess my favorite to compete in is archery. I even came first regionals”

Thokath smiled, “Oh did you get to championships?”

Lexy frowned, “No, it’s next week.”

Thokath’s smile wavered, “oh I see. You know we have an archery range. I have a bow and a few arrows. But if you want we can head downtown and get you a bow. Then you could show me the skills of a master archer?”

Lexy smiled, “sure, but be prepared because archery is my domain..”

Thokath’s smile returned, “alright well see. But before we go let’s take care of those scrapes on your arms.”

Lexy nodded, “alright.”

Thokath then looked to one of the maids, “go get the medical kit.”

The woman nodded and walked out of the room. She had quickly returned with a medical kit and handed it to Thokath.

Thokath opened the kit while Lexy rolled up her sleeves. Thokath cleaned the wounds, applied antiseptic cream, then put bandages on the wounds.

He looked to Lexy, “do you have any other injuries?”

Lexy shook her head

“No, that's it.”

Thokath noded, he put the remaining materials back into the medical kit and handed it to one of the maids, who left to put it away.

Thokath looked back to Lexy and his gaze landed onto the torn sleeves and the rebellion crest. However, he also noted how there were chain-shaped scars on her wrists.

He grabbed her arm with the crest and his brows knitted together while his gaze narrowed at the crest... The crest had a dove outlined with intricate blue swirls around it,

“What happened to you?”

Lexy shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She lowered her gaze, not wanting to meet his ruby stare. “ I don't think you would believe me. The butler’s acted strangely after I told them.”

Thokath let go of her arm and raised a brow, “Try me.”

Lexy’s face scrunched in confusion, “Ok, I went into the woods and I saw a strange guy. He was injured and then monsters came out of nowhere. I even killed one of the monsters. Once all of the monsters were killed or scared off. The guy disappeared. Then the next day a bunch of weird things happened and i-”

Thokath hummed softly, and he runs a hand through his messy white hair. “And where did this occur?”

Lexy’s confusion only seemed to skyrocket. “In the forest why?”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“As your temporary guardian, it is my duty to keep you safe.” He pauses for a moment. “No matter the cost.”

Lexy met his ruby gaze and nodded “Thank you for believing me.”

Thokath smiled, “Of course.” He then looked to one of the maids “Ready one of the limos.”

Lexy’s eyes widened, “One of, meaning multiple? Just what is your line of work?”

Thokath smirked, “Running a very successful brokerage.”

Lexy tilted her head and raised a brow “What is never mind.”

The two heard the sound of a car engine and Thokath looked to Lexy, “shall we?”

Lexy smiled and followed Thokath outside to see a large black limo that awaited the two.

The two got into the car and Lexy was in awe at the lavish interior of the vehicle.

Thokath looked at the driver and nodded. With that Lexy looked to Thokath “So do you prefer to recurve or compound?”

Thokath smiled “I don't really have a preference until a scenario is given. If I'd be hunting I would prefer a compound. I'd be given time to make a precise hit on my prey. For looks, and rapid-fire, I think recurve would win.”

Lexy nodded “I can see why you would say that. So where are we all going?”

Thokath hummed “well I was thinking we should head to the local sports store and then we can go and set up some target practice if you want.”

To this Lexy’s eyes sparkled “Yes please.”

Lexy felt the car stop and looked out the window to see they had arrived at a big box store.

Thokath opened the car door and the two got out of the limo. The two walked inside the store and Thokath looked at her once they reached the archery section “Pick out what you want.”

Lexy smiled brightly and began to look for a bow. She picked out a black compound bow and a set of twelve black arrows.

Lexy turned back to Thokath who had a box of camping equipment. Lexy’s eyes sparkled “Is that for me?”

Thokath smiled “well it was going to be for the other teenager who loved camping. Just kidding, yeah it is.”

With the items they wanted Lexy and Thokath went to check out. The two then walked out of the store and walked out to where the limo parked.

Lexy heard the vehicle start once Thokath opened the limo door for her. With that, the two got in the vehicle.

Lexy smiled at Thokath and before she could say anything. A phone rang from Thokath’s pocket. Thokath pulled the phone from his pocket,

“Hello?”

There was a muffled response Lexy couldn't hear.

Thokath nodded and sighed,

“Alright, I'll be there tomorrow.”

There was another response and the call ended. Thokath looked to Lexy

“I'll be able to do some archery with you this evening. But the company needs me for the morning tomorrow.”

Lexy nodded “That’s fine. I'll just practice in the archery zone while you're gone.”

Thokath smiled,

“Alright,”

The two felt the car stop and Lexy looked out the window to see they had reached the mansion. Lexy grabbed the items they had received and got out of the car.

Thokath came out of the car shortly after. Lexy watched as the limo went over to where the driveway and the house meet. Only to watch the part of the house that was in front of the limo to open up and reveal a garage.

Lexy’s jaw dropped and she looked to Thokath, “is that? What other secrets does the house have?”

Thokath smirked,

“you'll learn them all in time.”

Lexy smiled,

“I guess I will.”

With that, the two walked into the mansion. Thokath looked to Lexy “get your bow setup while I get my bow and arrow and we can meet at the archery range.”

Lexy smiled,

“Sure thing!” and she started to get her equipment ready. Lexy had begun with checking everything was in order with her bow. Once Lexy was finished with checking over her bow. She grabbed her arrows and set up her quiver. Lexy set her arrows in her quiver and looked to one of the butlers,

“Where is the archery range?”

The butler smiled,

“Right this way.” The man guided Lexy through the house and eventually reached a set of doors. The butler opened the doors to reveal a large rose garden. Beyond the garden, Lexy could see a cleared area with cut grass and a set of four archery targets set up.

Lexy smiled and looked to the butler,

“Thank you.”

The butler nodded and walked away.

Lexy watched the butler close the doors behind them when they left. Lexy turned back to the garden and walked over to the archery range. The archery range targets had paper targets strapped to small hay bales.

Seeing the range was clear she pulled an arrow from her quiver... Lexy readied her bow, took aim, and released her hold on the string.

The arrow hit her target dead center. Lexy flinched when she heard clapping. Lexy turned to face who was clapping to see Thokath.

Thokath had a bow case in one arm while a quiver with arrows was strapped to his back. Thokath smiled,

“You are good. How fast can you shoot all five?”

Lexy smirked,

“I'll show you.” that Lexy rapidly pulled arrows from her quiver while she fired at the targets. All of her arrows hit in the center of the target.

Thokath smiled,

“nice! Could you go get your arrows so I may try?”

Lexy nodded and walked over to the targets and grabbed her arrows. Lexy walked back to Thokath and put her arrows back in her quiver.

Thokath smirked, readied his bow, aimed, and fired. The arrow had hit the target but just barely missed the bullseye.

The two spent a few hours out there until the sun was setting. Lexy smiled when she got the last arrow from one of the targets and turned back to Thokath.

Thokath looked to the setting sun and then to Lexy.

“I think it’s time we head in. The sun is setting and I've got to go to work tomorrow.”

Lexy groaned,

“Alright.”

With that, the duo went inside.