I could feel my very core churn and clench with panic.

Instinctively, the magic coursed through my veins, begging me to sheathe myself in it, to use it to flee, to protect myself from these men. But what fragments remained of myself fought against that urge. That would only serve to prove them right, to reveal that I was everything they accused, and only spur their lust to drag me before the church.

A voice from above interrupted the man before me, and the ground suddenly exploded as a figure leapt from the roof and put himself between me and them.

The shock and explosion of snow and wind made me shriek as I cowered against the wall, my hands flying up to cover my head as this newcomer spoke. I fought to hear him over the sound of my own pounding heart and ragged breaths, turning with wide, disbelieving eyes as he so blatantly outed himself as a mage right in front of them.

... And then he showed them.

I stared in awe as this stranger threw back his cloak and allowed magic to swirl around him, proceeding to make short work of the attackers. A part of me burned with envy; to feel so at ease with himself, to be able to display his power with such reckless abandon. What would that even feel like? I felt my own hands begin to warm as my magic flowed sympathetically, and I tucked them under my cloak with a grimace.

Finally, with a cheeky remark to the now-fleeing men, the stranger turned to me. I glanced from him to the others and back again, pulling myself up out of the snow.

"I... owe you my life... Mr. Blackwell." I replied sheepishly, keeping my eyes downwards.

A sigh escaped my chest before I could suppress it.

"You're right, I am, aren't I." My eyes were drawn back up to the street for a moment. This couldn't keep on, one day... there would not be some handsome stranger to come to my aid. I turned to face him directly, "I would hate to impose... but... if you know somewhere, I would be further in your debt. It's a pleasure, Mr. Blackwell, I am Fae, Fae Valeaux."

I curtsied, a little clumsily given my legs were still shaking, but passable.

"... And it seems I owe you my life."