He noticed and smiled, finding this cute

,, I didnt do it for you. ,, She rolls her eyes. ,, I just dont like breaking promises. It causes more problems than it solves. ,,

Ash rose with blinding speed and gripped her upper arms. Even wounded and bleeding, he was much stronger than her. "I'm not ungrateful," he murmured against her ear. "I just want you to understand. The Winter Court preys on the weak. It's their nature. They will try to tear you apart, physically and emotionally, and I won't always be there to protect you."

She looked away from him.

He let her, only finding this even more cute.

She didn't think of this situation as cute.

,, I dont need protection! ,, She retorts. ,, Im perfectly fine on my own. If not for the deal Id have let you die. ,,

Why not?

Ash sighed. "I don't want to do this," he admitted in a low, anguished voice. "I don't want to see what they'll try to do to you. A Summer fey in the Winter Court doesn't stand much of a chance. But I vowed that I would bring you back, and I'm bound to that promise." He squeezed her shoulders in an almost painful grip as his voice dropped a few octaves, turning grim and cold. "So you have to be stronger than they are. You can't let down your guard, no matter what. They will lead you on, with games and pretty words, and they will take pleasure in your misery. Don't let them get to you. And don't trust anyone." He paused, and his voice went even lower. "Not even me."

,, I already dont. ,, She sighs, annoyed.

Cause she didn't think of herself as cute.