Adam almost bristled when she unknowingly mentioned him and his father, but he relaxed when she actually thanked him. "You're welcome, maybe I can catch something else for you today," he teased her lightly. Legally, he should probably plan on having a chat with the guards, but he had no desire to see Jo whipped out executed depending on what she was carrying when she came back. Even just her having a bow could get her into big trouble.

You have liked this post!

Without even thinking about it, Jo punched Adam in the shoulder. Lucky for him, she didn't put all of her effort into it, so it was more of a soft and playful punch. She points at him. "That was a one time thing. Don't even think about trying to pull that again. I won't hesistate to shoot your butt." Though her tone was serious, there was a hint of jokingness in there. Jo looked at Adam and for the first time actually noticed how good looking he was. He had black, cropped hair and the most amazing ice blue eyes which differed to her dark blue ones. He was tall, lean but full of muscles, and though Jo knew he was rich, he sure didn't desss like it. He had on simple clothes. She stares at him. "Who are you Adam?"

You have liked this post!

"That's for me to know and you to find out," he repeated her earlier words and looked at her as they walked. For now, he wanted to keep his secret and not even tell her his last name. The royal family demanded respect from the people, but he didn't want her bowing at his feet. Even though his clothes were simple, they were made of rich fabrics and dyes. He could tell from just looking at Jo that her clothes were mostly homemade and more coarse. Actually, they looked a little thin and worn compared to his warm coat. "Aren't you cold out here?" He asked.

You have liked this post!

If she were being honest, Jo was a bit cold, but she wasn't one to complain. She had a coat at home, but her and her little sister, Mya, shared that coat and would until her mother had enough fabric to make Jo a coat for herself. And her mother was so close. They had gotten fabric by trading meats, but since it was getting colder and harder to hunt, they had to keep more meat to themselves and could trade as much. Anyway, Mya had wanted to explore the woods area around the town with her brother, Jasper, so Jonhadnt minded letting her use the jacket. But that didn't stop her from getting goosebumps. Jo grinned at Adam. "Why? Are you going to offer me your coat?"

You have liked this post!

Smirking, Adam started shrugging off his coat and said, "You guessed it." Offering it to her, he added, "My shirt is warm enough and I have another just like it at home, just in blue instead." He was wearing a long sleeve shirt underneath the coat that buttoned up and was thicker material. It wasn't wool like the jacket, but he would be alright until he got home.

You have liked this post!

Jo raised her hand for the jacket, already picturing the heat it would provide until she truly thought about what she was doing. What was she doing? Just last week, had she not wished him dead and now.....? It was like she was flirting with the enemy. Why was she doing that? Jo looked at Adam. Why did she suddenly have an interest in him? This.... whatever this relationship was, needed to end, right now. Jo pulled her hand back before clearing her throat. "As nice as the offer was and as nice as it was talking to you, I have better things to attend to." Her voice then was a large contrast to what it's had been moments before, but she didn't feel bad. Jo looked Adam in the eye. "Some people have work to do." And she looked at him once more beforehand turning on her heel.

You have liked this post!

Just walking after her, he said, "Take the jacket or I'm going to follow you around the woods like a noisy lost puppy, you know I will." His voice was serious, but his eyes were kind, just wanting to give her the coat since it was so cold. She had seemed to want to take it, so he didn't know why she decided not to.

You have liked this post!

"Why are you doing this?!" Jo turned around to face Adam. He really was peculiar, and she had figured that out in the only three times she had spoken with him. "You don't know me. You don't like me!" Jo didn't understand the man in front of her. She didn't know where he had come from or why he was being so nice to her because after all, her words were true. He didn't know her. He had just met her. Her voice was a bit quiter as she asked the last question. "Why do you keep doing such nice things for me?" She let her hands fall to her side, as she stared at Adam with wide, curious dark blue eyes, wanting, no needing an answer.

You have liked this post!

"I have more than what I need and you don't," he said and shrugged, "I guess I think I can help you. Please take the coat, Jo." Adam knew that what she was saying was the truth and it kind of surprised him too. None of the nobles, especially in his immediate family, really seemed to bother themselves with the poor except for how they could pay their annual taxes to the crown.

You have liked this post!

Jo felt realization dawn on her, as she narrowed her eyes at Adam. "You are such an arse," she states while her voice remain hostile but calm, and she crosses her arms across her shoulders. "This is about pity. You pity me because I'm not as rich as you." Jo shakes her head, closing her eyes for a second before opening them back and exhaling. "And to this I was actually starting to like you!" She laughed except there was no humor before turning back to him, her eyes cold. "You can keep the coat and your pity. I don't need it."

You have liked this post!

"It's not pity!" He huffed and reached for her hand before he could really think about it. Adam didn't want her running of again and making him chase her through the woods. Hoping that she would listen to him, he said, "It's a gift. If you don't want to keep it, sell it, that'll line your pockets with a bit of gold if you think that's all I'm worried about and that I don't actually want to help you when I can see you shivering!"

((Goodnight))

You have liked this post!

Staring at Adam, Jo tried to read him. Tried to see what his true meaning was. His true intentions. But the more she stared into his eyes, the more lost she got because she couldn't tell. Adam was unlike any person she'd ever met, and Jo had yet to decipher if that was good or bad. She looked at the jacket before looking at the hand that covered hers. Jo had never had a boy hold her hand before. She didn't care about love and all that nonsense but standing there with Adam? Jo shook her head before she quickly removed her hand from his before letting her hand reach out for the jacket and slipping it over her shoulders. "I'll wear it for now, but when you depart, you're taking it back." If he wanted her to wear it than fine, but that was her deal.

You have liked this post!

"Thank you," he said exasperatedly and released her hand when she draped the coat over her shoulders. Adam knew that she would be warm in it since he had been wearing it all the way here. Now, he just had to figure out some way to get her to keep it when he left, he hadn't planned on staying long today.

You have liked this post!

Jo had to admit, the jacket was nice and warm. She grinned and shook her head before she looked around the ground and then back up at Adam. "Hm, there isn't a dead deer in sight," she makes her observations, raising an eyebrow at him. "Are you not hunting today?" Jo didn't know why she was trying to make conversation. Maybe it had to do with the fact that he was as stubborn as she, and she'd never met anyone that came close. It was weird talking to him but almost relaxing too. It was a change, and Jo hadn't experienced one of those in years. And as they say, a Change will do you good.

You have liked this post!

"I need to get back home pretty fast today, my father will be expecting me," he sighed. Adam had wanted to see her, but allies of Calax were arriving from overseas to attend his coronation and, of course, he was expected to be there to welcome them. He hadn't even bothered to bring his crossbow and just had a dagger on his hip in case he needed it.

You have liked this post!