~A few years ago~

"You're getting better!" My best friend laughed as he parried my attack. "A couple more months and I think you'll be ready! Then you might be almost as good as me!"

"You're wrong, Gil. I'll win today!" I jabbed at him with my long-sword and he quickly jumped back and hit my sword with his own. I took a step forward until our swords were clashing, our faces mere inches from each other.

"Yeah? Prove it, and I'll admit to everyone that you're better than me," His mouth curled up teasingly on one side. "But, if I win--I get a kiss,"

"What?" I faltered, letting my grip on my sword loosen a bit. Gil seized the opportunity and flicked his sword under mine, throwing it from my hand. As I was stunned, he quickly knelt and spun in a circle with a leg out, sweeping me off my feet and causing me to crash to the ground. The impact pushed the air from my lungs and I groaned and sat up, trying to reach for my sword. Gil kicked it farther away from me and pointed his sword at me, a wide, bright smile on his face. I put up my hands with a roll of my eyes. 

"And I won," he twirled the sword in his hand, showing off, before putting it back into its scabbard. He offered a hand down to me. I took it, letting him help me up. I bent down and picked up my fallen sword, putting it away. I straightened up and looked at him and he was still grinning at me. "Guess who owes me a kiss."

"I'm your sister, Gil," I argued, placing my hands on my hips.

"Step sister. It's not like we are blood related or anything," he looked at me with raised eyebrows. "So, do you want to pay up now or later?"

"You're hopeless," I shook my head as I started by him, "Much like the dream of achieving that kiss you're wanting."

"Playing hard to get... I see," he chuckled, catching up to walk beside me, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "I can wait. You'll want me eventually. You'll be begging me for kisses."

"In your dreams, Gil," I chuckled and pushed him a little with one hand. He nudged me back, before we settled to walk shoulder to shoulder.

"I will get that kiss someday,"

***

I woke up, and put a hand to my head. I laid there, soaking in what had just happened. Those had been my memories. I had a brother, a best friend... Was he out there somewhere, searching for me? A part of me felt happiness, that I had someone important in my life. But another part of me felt empty, with all the memories of the times with Gil gone. It felt strange, to care about someone, but not fully understand or remember why you did.

I finally threw back the covers and walked to the window, breathing in the breeze coming off the ocean. The sun was barely up, casting the sky multiple bright colors. I could make out that someone was walking along the beach. Squinting, I could see that it was a male with bare feet, pant legs rolled up, and wearing a white shirt tucked into his pants. Erik.

I turned from the window and rushed to get dressed, putting my hair up and throwing on one of the many dresses in the chest at the foot of the bed. It was a plain cream colored dress with lace at the sleeves and neckline. I snuck out of my room and made my way to the gates of the castle, asking bustling maids and workers for directions a couple times along the way. Many looked at me as I passed by, like they knew exactly who I was.

I made my way down the hill to the sand, where I began to walk over to him. I stopped as I got closer, a breath catching in my throat. His golden hair was blowing back gently in the wind, glinting from the rising sun. His hands were at his sides, his eyes closed. The waves lapped at his bare feet and ankles, his toes dug into the wet sand. He must have sensed my presence, because he opened his eyes and looked over at me.

"Misty?" he took a step toward me, a look of realization crossing his worried face, "Wait--you're supposed to have someone guarding you at all times! Where is Maleah or Verity?"

I tugged at a loose strand of hair, "I might have not notified them I was leaving and quietly snuck out..." I gestured at him, "Besides, aren't you a knight? I know you can stop me just as well as anyone else if I were to--"

"Stop right there," he interrupted, putting up a hand to silence me, "I trust you, but members of the group don't, and want someone to watch your every move. Besides, a lot of people don't think you should be here and I don't want anyone trying to get rid of you... I'm trying to protect you."

He didn't need to explain what he meant by "get rid of". I just stood there, not knowing what to say and feeling very awkward. He relaxed and gestured for me to follow him as he turned to walk down the beach.

"Walk with me," And I did, finding no problem strolling alongside him. "I take these walks every morning. Do you know why?"

"I don't know, but I can't blame you. It's very calming," I looked up at the sun shining bright above the horizon. "It's beautiful."

"It is," he answered in a voice barely above a whisper. "I take these walks because I feel like a normal person, not one that is in a group that has to take care of everyone and is in charge of an entire kingdom. Someone who hasn't killed people. Just somebody that can stop worrying and breathe and take things slow, at least for a little while." He closed his eyes and shook his head apologetically. "Sorry, I don't mean to be rambling and bore you. I just find you easy to talk to for some reason..."

"I don't mind at all! I haven't been around that long, but I do know you deserve a little calm in your life--I don't think you ever stop worrying about everyone else," I stopped, and started to back up in the direction of the castle. "I'll leave you alone, so you can relax. This is your personal time. I don't want to interrupt anymore than I already have."

"No--wait!" He spun on me, hand out, "Stay. I... enjoy your company,"

I stared at him, my face growing as heated as my heart was filled with joy. His face began to turn equally red. He rubbed the back of his neck with the hand he had outstretched just seconds ago, his golden eyes catching the light. He seemed to search my face, wondering if I was embarrassed or was uncomfortable with what he had just said.

"If you want to, of course," he added, with a nervous chuckle.

"Alright," I smiled happily, making sure he knew he didn't cross any boundaries. "If you insist?"

"I do," he answered, returning my smile.

I walked over and joined him at his side again, as the water splashed my feet and the hem of my dress. It didn't bother me, I was lost in the peacefulness of it all, of how normal it all felt. To have somebody beside you that had your back, when you felt empty inside, not knowing who you even were. But it felt like Erik knew. And that was enough for me for right now.