Selene and the stranger stared at each other, drowning in each other's eyes. Upon hearing footsteps, Selene turned her head to look back and faced Aelius again with fear dancing in her gaze. The stranger looked behind her.

"Follow me," he said, grasping Selene's hand as they ran through the street. They turned to a dark alley and hid behind the bronze structures. "Keep quiet" he whispered to Selene while looking at the corner, checking if the men following her are still in sight.

Selene had a chance to observe the stranger. Dark hair farmed his sharp features, giving them softness. Strong jawline and high cheekbones, with tanned skin complementing his molten gold-like eyes. The stranger was very handsome and based on the strength of how he held her to avoid being spotted, the stranger was very strong as well.

"I think they're gone" the stranger whispered. Slowly, they made their way out of the alley. "You know, you should probably avoid wearing that if you don't want to get mugged" he gestured at her cloak.

"Why?" Selene asked. Her cloak was of neutral color with no embellishment. It was just a simple cloak.

"This type of fabric," the stranger said as he grabbed the sides of her cloak, "is mainly used by nobles here. This cloak costs a fortune. This tipped those people off that you are someone of high ranking, and with a lot of money" he explained.

Selene was shocked. 'How can a simple piece of cloak be that expensive?' she thought. It was one of the most inexpensive things she bought for herself. Living in luxury all her life, she was immune to these practical things that her people experience.

"I suggest you buy a new one that you can use for travel. There's a shop at the plaza that sells these at a fair price, and uses fabric used by the masses." The stranger explained with a gentle smile. Selene can't help but smile back and agree with him.

"Can you help me get back to the main plaza?" she asked him. "I'm not sure which way to go and those men might come back"

"Don't worry, I'll help you." The stranger replied. "Follow me then," he said. The two of them walked in silence in the street. When they reached the plaza, she saw her friends and brother talking to the locals looking worried.

"Guys!" she called as she ran towards the group. Mikael saw her sister first, and he ran towards her and hugged her, with Sola and Kai in his heels.

"Where the heck did you go?" Sola cried. "We went to the bookshop and you weren't there!". Kai was in her corner with her eyes in tears.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I was at the bookshop but when I was walking back to the plaza some men tried to chase me, so I ran away" Selene said sadly. "But I'm fine. They didn't hurt me. This man helped me hide and guided me back here" She pointed at the stranger that helped her.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

The group looked at the man. Mikael held out his hand for a shake. "Thank you for helping my sister. And I'm sorry for the trouble she caused, my sister can be quite a handful sometimes"

"No worries, I'm glad I could help," the stranger said, "You might want to tell the girls to change their clothes into something made from simpler materials, it can get them in trouble if you are traveling" he suggested.

Mikael nodded at the stranger's suggestion. Selene went next to her brother and shook the stranger's hand as well. "Thank you again for helping me."

"Again no worries. Besides, a girl as beautiful as you should be kept out of danger" the stranger said with a devastating smile. Selene felt her heart almost jump out of her mouth.

"So, you guys are traveling?" the stranger asked them.

"Yes," Kai said, "It's our first time here in Solaria and we thought we could explore it in just a few days before the big wedding"

The word 'wedding' made the stranger stiff, but the group did not sense it. "I see," he said "I could take you to some beautiful places in Solaria if it's okay"

Mikael was about to decline when Selene suddenly answered "Sure thing! That way we can't get lost anymore."

"Great, let's meet here tomorrow morning then.:" The stranger said enthusiastically, his smile becoming warmer. He reached out and held Selene's hand towards his lips and kissed it. "See you tomorrow then, Miss…"

"Calypso" Selene answered. "My name is Calypso. My brother's name is Amaris, and my friends are Seraphina and Marella" she said while pointing at Mikael, Sola, and Kai respectively.

The stranger raised one eyebrow and said "And my name is Cyrus. It was great meeting you all" he said. "See you tomorrow okay?" The stranger then turned around and walked away, towards the bustling town until he disappeared.

Mikael grabbed Selene and turned her around so she can face him "What are you doing? Are you out of your mind?! You don't know the guy!" he hissed at his sister.

"Relax Mikael," she said "That's why I gave him made-up names. Besides if he wanted to kill me he would have done so earlier"

"That was very risky Selene" Kai whispered to her

"I know," Selene replied, "But we came here to explore Solaria, and having a guide would make it easier for us."

"Besides, he's handsome" Sola added "No handsome guy would be a psychopath, it would be a waste of good looks," she said.

"Ugh, you girls always focus on looks," Mikael said to the girls. "Don't come crying to me if he's a crazy bastard"

"Oh look at you, jealous of some competition?" Sola teased him "Scared that you won't be the most handsome guy here once he joins us?" She said as she smiled at him. The rest of the girls laughed at Sola's teasing and Mikael's tongue-tied reaction.

"Whatever. Let's go, the inn is nearby and the moon's already peaking. We would need food and rest if we're going to start traveling tomorrow"

Everyone nodded their heads and followed Mikael to the in that he found. Selene found Kai at her side and heard her whisper

"Selene, please be careful," she said in a soft voice.

"Careful?" she asked her friend.

"You seem to easily trust everyone nice to you" Kai answered back. "Just, be careful about who you let in your life, and in your heart," she said as she looked at Selene with a gentle gaze.

Selene admitted to herself that the man was handsome and kind. She admitted to herself that she somehow got lost in his eyes which seems to pull her soul close. She didn't know why she trusted the stranger – Cyrus – immediately without thinking. She knew she was taking a risk, but deep inside she felt safe when the stranger was near her, which is why she took his offer. She gave her friend a reassuring smile and held her hand.

"I'll be careful Kai," she said. "I'll keep your words close to my heart. Thank you" Selene squeezed Kai's hand and she squeezed it back.

Tomorrow they'll be meeting again. Selene hoped she made the right choice.