Phoenix Maplewood smile without a reason why

he was about to feign fright at the mention of her sisters--imagine two more black shadows like this at his border!--when she asked him a question that made his ears perk with interest. he regarded her for a long moment, head slightly tilted, a cheeky smile slowly oozing over his face.

"would you rather i have left you in the swamp?" aditya teased, eyes glittering with mirth. "it's not too late to go back, chaiyya. we'll get you good and stuck this time."

he laughed softly, but his expression calmed from humor to seriousness after a few seconds, and he took another pause before speaking again. "why wouldn't i help you?" adi queried, looking bemused. "i told you, this is my way. this is how i live my life--the only way i've ever known how to live. even if i had wanted to, i wouldn't have left you behind. it's just not in my nature."

his brows drew together as he considered something he hadn't thought of before. "are you concerned about your family being in my debt?" he asked gently. "because i can assure you, i didn't do this with expectation of repayment. you don't have to worry at all about that."