After a few droughts of the snakeweed, my father did recover. Come morning, the deep hacking lessened to a bare tickle in his throat and by day's end, he was good as new. I cannot tell you how close I thought I was to losing the man. Before, delirious fever had raged in Father to such a degree, he could not use the privy by himself so the sight of him settled in his chair by the hearth, slowly sipping on broth.. did well by my eyes. Did me well. And so I was ever-so anxious to return to the glade and personally thank Asmodeus.

I did not tell Father about the handsome stranger I met in the woods. Reflecting upon my reasoning I suppose I did not want him to damper my excitement with stuffy warnings or perhaps going so far as to forbid me going into the Weald by myself. Which is exactly what I did the next day. More the fool me. Eagerly I returned... so eagerly that had he not spoken, I would have missed Asmodeus as I bustled by. Today he was waiting for me at the edge of the tree line and not Varda. "You just missed your wolf.. I assume he is yours. How many men do you leave pining in wait, beautiful damosel?"

"None, Asmodeus!" My snicker matched the impish glint in the man's eye. Teasing me about a wolf! A wolf I haven't seen in days and am I bit worried about to tell you the truth. "Varda left already?" Asmodeus approached me and lifted a curled tendril of my hair from where it rested on my shoulder. "Yes, perhaps he did not like the competition I represent." His husky whisper came moments before he cupped the back of my head and led me to his mouth. "I missed you, Bryony."

The stolen kiss was one of many. The laughter never melted away. Even when we were silent and gazing over the pretty marsh pond we had spread a blanket beside, the warmth of our laughter could be felt in my belly. We had a little lunch together while we talked and teased until the day had mercilessly paraded away into the dusk. I hated to leave Asmodeus there upon the last of the copse of trees but taking me in his arms, he made sure our farewell would be memorable.

I hope father doesn't notice my kiss swollen mouth tonight.

[1 petals fell]