Campfire

Caith emerged from the tent and joined Sionna by the fire. She was cooking some steak on the open fire with a pan she got from the backpack.

"After dinner I can heat the bath up for you." Caith said reaching into the bag grabbing a loaf of bread.

"How do you plan to do that?"

"Magic," Caith said after swallowing a bite of bread.

"I can't wait to see it." She replied taking a piece of bread that Caith handed her. The fire illuminating her face and shining in her eyes.

"I can't wait to eat this steak." He said taking a deep breath but keeping his eyes on her.

Sionna turned away and focused on cooking, but Caith continued to look at her. His gaze admiring the curly hair and fair features.

"I really like that dress on you." He replied finally as she flipped the steak.

"Thank you," she replied looking up at him. His blue eyes were watching her and it made butterflies fill her stomach. She had never felt this way before and she wasn't sure how to react. She dropped her gaze and looked down at his arm and thought about the making on her back. Oddly enough she felt like there was more connecting them than the marking. She enjoyed being around him and she felt like she could tell him anything. Or ask him anything and he would try his best to answer. Her Papa wouldn't tell her certain things and wouldn't answer certain questions. With Caith there wasn't a barrier like that. Sure there was something that he seemed to be hiding earlier today when they were talking about her losing control. It seemed to be something he didn't know how to say more than anything else.

They both sat in silence for a while staring into the fire listening to the steak sizzle.

"It looks done," Caith said finally breaking the silence. Sionna's eyes widened in confusion for a moment. Before she realized what he was taking about.

"Right," she said taking the pan off the fire and placing it on a rock to cool.

Caith pulled out some bread, cheese, and a bottle from the food bag.

"Do you want some?" He asked holding the bottle up.

"Sure," she nodded and watch him rummage around and pull out a wooden plate and some utensils. And handed her the knife while putting some bread and cheese on the plates. She cut the steak in half with one size being a little smaller. When he handed her the plate she gave herself the smaller piece.

They began eating and passing the bottle in silence. Stealing glances at each other while trying to seem mesmerized by the fire.

When they were finished with the meal and the bottle Caith finally spoke.

"Want to watch me turn this bottle into sand?" He said holding it up in the center of his palm with his hand flat.

"Yeah," she said with a smile. And watched with amazement as the bottle vibrated in his palm remaining right side up until it faded into dust. The sand poured between his fingers and the wind gently blew it off his hand and onto the ground.

Caith watched her amazed expression with a smile. She stood there her mouth agape and eyes wide.

"Can you teach me?" She asked finally looking into his shining eyes.

"In time I will teach you everything I know." He replied and they continued to look at each other over the now dying fire.

"Should I go warm your bath now?" He asked and Sionna noticed how white his teeth are.

"Yes please." She said and started cleaning up after dinner. She wondered how a man who was living in a cave could have such white teeth.

She quickly rinsed everything off in the creek and put it away and went into the tent. Bringing the food bag with her.

Caith was crouched next to the metal tub, his hand was touching the side of the tub and it was visibly red and hot in color. He noticed her come inside and he removed his hand.

"Let me know if this is a good temperature." He said calling her over. She ran her hand through the water and a smile graced her lips. She hadn't had a hot bath in a while.

"It's perfect." She said and looked at him. He was actually at her height for once and she didn't need to crane her neck to look at his face.

"Well I can leave so you can take a bath." He said shot to stand.

"You can stay." Sionna blurted out before she could stop herself. "I mean you have already seen me," she added shyly.