"Cover yourself!" I squeak, jumping up and swiftly turning around as I cover my face with my hands. But my slightly delayed reaction meant I saw more than I needed to see. I couldn't help it. I mean, it's not my fault, right? He's the one walking around naked with...that outrageous thing. It's bound to get people's attention.

"You can turn," he adds a few moments later.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I am sure," he says, and I detect a hint of amusement in his voice.

Slowly, I turn around, but I don't remove my hands from my face. I part my fingers to peek through them. Okay, he's wearing his pants and shirt now. That's an improvement.

Clearing my throat, I drop my arms by my side, walking away from the pond and deeper into the cave.

"Don't do that again, all right? I thought we established that it's not okay to be naked in front of people who are not your mate." I feel the need to mention. Who knows, maybe in his solitary very expensive palace he walks around naked all the time. But I'd rather he do that only when I'm not around.

"We did," he agrees, his eyes boring a hole in me.

I avert my gaze, suddenly flustered. Heat climbs my cheeks as I find myself stammering.

"W-well, since you know, don't do it again."

He doesn't reply, merely staring more at me.

Damn, this is awkward.

Without warning, he comes to my side, grabs my hand, and leads me to the spot where we'd slept. "Sit," he commands, pushing me to the ground by my shoulders.

I go along with it, especially when I notice he's gathering some more twigs to make a fire. That would be heavenly now, since I don't want to put on my hoodie while my sports bra is wet. It might be a little uncomfortable to show so much bare skin in front of Ze, but the last thing I need is to catch a cold.

Once the fire is ablaze, he takes a seat right next to me.

"What was that down there?" I finally ask.

"It was once a town. But these lands are not meant to be occupied like that. The gods flooded all settlements in the intermediary realms when they found out about it."

"Oh," I whisper. "And that creature?"

He shrugs.

"It must have slipped through a portal. You do not have to worry about it. It is gone now," he assures me.

"Okay." I nod. "Thanks for saving me. Again." I let out an awkward laugh.

"Of course," he replies with a huff. "You are my person. I will not let anything happen to you."

"You mean I'm your teammate," I correct him lightly.

"You are my person," he reiterates, his voice firm.