The sound of armor clanking together and men shouting orders filled the air as the troops prepared for battle. Dimitri stood among them, his gaze hardening as the reality of the situation sunk in.

He glanced over, seeing you standing off to the side. You looked so small and fragile amongst the burly soldiers, like a doll among the warriors. The sight filled him with the urge to protect you, but he quickly suppressed it.

He made his way over to you, his eyes roaming over your petite form. You looked even smaller in the armor that he had forced you to wear. It hung off your body, and he mentally cursed himself for thinking that you looked cute.

"Stay by me," he commanded, his voice firm. He'd be damned if anything happened to you on the battlefield.