A/N: please reread the last few updates! I did some editing and swapped some chapters c:

They continue down the forest trail at a lazy walk, loose reins and a slow gait to let the horses rest after their little race. The riders catch their breaths and their laughter echoes around them, all tired smiles and adrenaline.

The little bits of sky visible through the treetops are now fading to black as night falls over the country. The men dismount, though Sanghyuk lets her stay in the saddle for her safety. ("You could trip. Better me than you, anyway. Eun will take good care of you,")

Crickets chirp in the grasses, their path illuminated by the moonlight and it's not long before Wonshik suggests they set up camp. They move to a riverbank sheltered by tall oaks and turn the horses loose to graze.

She's managed to coax a fire from dried wood with the help of Sanghyuk, the two having found flint stones along the river. The fire crackles and she pulls her cloak tighter around herself, warm and content and a little bit sleepy.

Sanghyuk is nestled beside her, still a bit buzzed and palms clasped together. Wonshik and Hongbin sit across from them and warm their own hands, occasionally looking back to check on the horses.

"We can bring you back home tomorrow," Wonshik smiles, "I think we know the way from here, I recognized some landmarks. Thank you for coming along with us,"

She nods politely, "it was no trouble,"

He gets to his feet and brushes off his trousers.

"I'm going to try and find some rabbits for breakfast tomorrow," he says and unsheathes a blade an inch thick and as long as her forearm hidden within the seams of his clothes. The metal flashes dangerously in the firelight and she feels her eyes widen.

"Hongbin, want to come? Another pair of eyes makes a big difference with those quick ers,"

Hongbin stands as well and flashes a dimpled smile and nods and the two disappear into the trees, bantering back and forth about something too quiet for her ears. Next to her, Sanghyuk tenses and she glances at him with a worried look.

"Are you alright?" she murmurs and places a comforting hand on his shoulder, "you seem on edge,"

Sanghyuk remains silent and there's a crease between his brows. Flames dance across his eyes as he sits unmoving, his face thrown into shadow and she's worried that she can't fully read his body language. He turns to her suddenly, gaze fever bright and very much serious, warm hands enveloping hers and she feels her pulse stutter at how close he is.

"You need to run," he whispers, his breath almost touching her lips. The cogs in her brain turn furiously and she frowns, completely and utterly confused at his torn expression.

"What?"

"The Queen is after you, Snow White."

She draws back slightly and searches his face, the way his lips are parted with each nervous breath. Her heart rate starts hammering for another reason entirely.

"How do you know who I am?" she inquires softly, the name everyone called her in the village the last thing she expected to hear from Sanghyuk.

She shakes her head and a sound of panic bubbles from , muttering to herself.

"What does Queen Valaine even want from me? I...I-I've never even been to the castle in my life.."

Sanghyuk shifts closer and urgently squeezes her hands as if to shift her attention to more pressing matters. His words spill quickly, his eyes darting back to where Hongbin and Wonshik had disappeared only minutes ago.

"The Queen is a vain and jealous woman who will do anything to get what she wants. She sent my brothers and I here to take your life. This was all a trap,"

Wonshik's knife flashes in her mind's eye and everything clicks together. Asking for directions, getting her here alone, and how isolated they were from civilization, miles from the next town. It was all part of a scheme.

She stands and he doesn't stop her, only gets to his feet as well and sensing her alarm, moves back a few steps. He raises his hands to show that he's unarmed.

"But I will do no such thing," he states and his voice breaks. Sanghyuk's features are etched with pain as she staggers backwards. His eyes glisten and he looks like he wants to take her in his arms again but just stands there in surrender, his chin tilting to the side to glance cautiously over his shoulder, "but I can't say the same for my brothers. That's why I needed to warn you,"

As if on cue, voices and the sound of movement through the underbrush causes both of them to freeze. Sanghyuk moves and braces her by the shoulders, voice low and quivering.

"Listen to me, Snow White. They're coming back and I won't be able to hold them off. My brothers are much stronger than I am,"

Each word is accented with another step from behind him and she whimpers.

"You're going to have to run now, as fast as you can, do you understand me? Don't stop no matter what happens. You're a smart girl, I know you'll be able to stay out of sight."

She's shaking now as the voices come closer, "I wish we could have met under different circumstances," he murmurs, "I'm so sorry it had to be like this." The look in his eyes is desperate and conflicted and she nods vigorously.

He makes a choked sound and takes her hands again, surprised when warm lips brush her forehead.

"May we meet again one day," Sanghyuk breathes with that sunshine smile and squeezes her hands. It's short lived as the mask of hurt settles over his face and he gently pushes her away.

"Go," he says.