I drag myself closer, letting the heat from the flame caress my skin. Although the temperature was warm during daytime, the moment it got dark, it started getting chillier. I made a good decision to wear my hoodie, but even with it, a shiver goes down my back.

He drops our small bag with supplies by my side before joining me next to the fire. Despite our sudden departure, I was surprised by his comprehensive planning. By the time he dragged me out of our apartment, he already had a bag packed with snacks and water to last us a couple of days. Even more surprising had been the fact that he'd packed only non-meat options.

He sits cross-legged, his palms on his knees, his expression blank. His clothes are in perfect order, not one drop of sweat on his forehead, whereas I'm almost drowning in mine. Even his features are as fresh as if he just woke up from a nap.

"I'm surprised you know how to make a fire," I mention.

"Huh?" He raises an arrogant brow.

"That right there." I point at him, my lips quirking up. "You're such a snob I didn't think you'd know basic skills like the rest of us."

"And how is it that you have come to that conclusion?" he inquires lazily.

"You probably live in a palace and are waited on hand and foot by an army of poor servants." I shrug.

He stares at me for a moment before he throws his head back and starts laughing.

I blink.

Is this... This is the first time I've seen him laugh, no?

As if he could read my mind, he suddenly stops, his features frozen in place like he surprised his own self with his reaction.

"Your assumption is erroneous." He clears his throat. "I do live in a palace," he continues.

"Aha, I knew it." I grin.

"But"—he puts a finger up—"I do not have any servants."

"You don't?"

"As for how I learned to make a fire," he continues, ignoring my cry of surprise. "I am a soldier. I have lived most of my life on the battlefield, where you sleep under the naked sky. On the rare occasion, I slept in a tent. The palace is a rather...new addition," he adds awkwardly.

"But Thea said you're the boss, general or commander or whatever."

"That, too, is a rather recent development."

"How recent?" I arch a brow. I don't think our conceptions of time are the same.

"A few thousand of your human years."

"What?" My mouth is agape as I stare at him. "That is recent for you? Just how old are you?"

His lips flatten.

"Old," he replies flippantly.

"Oh, come on." I smile as I scoot closer. "How old are we talking about?"

He gives me a side-eye.

"Too old for your human mind to comprehend."