I'd just gotten out of the shower, dried myself off, and put my clothes on when I realized I needed to brush my hair. The steam still hung heavy in the air, and the bathroom mirror was fogged with condensation.

I ran the brush through my long white hair, watching the strands catch the light. I was about to put it up in my usual ponytail when I realized I'd left my red ribbon hair tie in my bedroom. With a sigh, I opened the bathroom door and walked down the hall.

To my surprise, Blade was already in my room, standing near the window and looking out at the gardens below. The afternoon sunlight caught his dark hair, making it seem almost blue. When he turned to face me, his eyes narrowed slightly with curiosity.

"I need to get my hair tie," I explained, moving toward the dresser where I kept it. Before I could reach for the small drawer, Blade had already retrieved the red ribbon and was holding it out to me.

"Allow me," he said simply, taking a step closer. I could feel the warmth of his body through the thin fabric of my clothes.

"Blade, you really don't have to.." I began, but he just smiled faintly and gestured for me to turn around.