Chapter 39

Anelisa 

He'd compensate them, mostly those that had their house burnt due to the attack and from the little I got to pick from the speech he made, he promised to make the land safe again.

According to him, he and his queen would find a solution to tame the beasts.

They cheered him but then he told them not to because they were all mourning today.

A chant for victory is all he'd want to hear when he returns.

I left there back to the palace, so sober and broken because I didn't for once though of the people that were affected by the attack.

But then...what if rhyker was pretending? Of course, he would be just so the people would love him.

It was noon already and the knock on my door had me jumping and running to answer it.

Usually, I allow him to knock several times but just a knock had me running to him.

He flinched, surprised and then cleared his throat.

My eyes roamed around his face, his eyes were still red but I knew he was trying to hide it.

"You're in such a haste for a dragon..."

"Your cut...you have to rest"

"And? The trauma of today definitely affects you and you need to rest"

"You'd lose blood..."

"You're not going alone. I need to give my people answers and I'm not going to sit back a day until I resolve that"

I rolled my eyes, trying not to be affected... after all, he believes I don't care.

"It's a long distance"

"Anelisa please"

He knows my name? I widened my eyes as it sounded strange hearing him call it.

"Let's go"

I knew he was just putting on an act calling me darling. He's trying to deceive the people.

"Why are you coming with me?" I asked lowering my eyes at him as I breath heavily.

He paused, his eyes searching mine as though I'd know the answer.

"To kill thrako? You know you can't..." I argued with sadness in my tone but he suddenly grabbed my collar and hauled me gently to him.

"I'm not losing you, I mean when I say I like you and even if you'd want to walk through fire, I'd walk it with you"

I couldn't say another thing as my mouth dropped and our eyes synced.

My heart throbs as my nipples stifled and my thighs trembles.

"But I'd never like you?"

I wasn't even sure what I was saying but then, he was making me doubt my emotions.

"I don't need you to like me. Your attitude still won't change my feelings for you" he confessed sincerely and those eyes dropped as my mouth refused to close.

Even though he tells me this on several occasions, it always feels different.

I placed my palms on his hand that gripped my collar as my breath was shallow.

I anticipated for a kiss or something but I knew rhyker wouldn't, except I let him.

Not after the last one that I told him I regretted it and that he should respect boundaries.

But it was all a lie...I want him to kiss me now. I want to embrace him if it'd ease the pain in his heart.

I knew he wanted to but was constraining himself.

I'd want to be the one to treat his bruise and have his head resting on my thighs while I play with his hair.

I didn't like it that he called me anelisa for the first time, I didn't like it that he bleeding and not catering for that wound.

He just...loves everyone but how can I trust it? How can I believe him when everyone's a fake?

I want to see a happy smile not the one forced but he let go of me, walked pass me to the baby on the bed.

"Elsa, we have an adventure to embark on and I'd make it lively"

I swirl to look at him, he was fond of carry her like she's the only one that understands him.

She was asleep and so he was sure not to wake her up by making a loud sound.

He carried her gently and turned to look at me.

"I have readied the horses and soldiers who's follow us"

Who wouldn't want to follow a man like him, that knows how to manage the emotions of the people?

"I know where you can get more grains for the people. I don't think the ones shared would be enough"

He shifted his gaze to me, I don't know if what I was seeing on his face was gratitude but he light up when I said that.

"Where darling?"

I blushed when that title returned but cussed myself for acting this way.

"Alaric has a store house somewhere in the southward of the palace environment, send me one of your trusted men to learn of the direction from me"

"Ace" he called scooping my baby and placing to where I still stood.

"Ace will do just that"

I couldn't tell why I was relieved for telling him that but rhyker looked hopeful relieved just as I was.

I nodded feeling shy and he said;

"Thank you for earlier."

I would have passed out due to excitement but I composed myself watching him walk pass me again and I said;

"Let me get that tied again for you"

I was pointing at his injury as it's opening up.

"It's okay. I don't want your hands with blood, darling" he whispers and I'm not begging him.

"Okay but if you know about dragons, the sense blood like the sea creature and eat you first before you'd even think of protecting..."

I paused when he sway his face to look at me, it was so close that our face would have smeared together.

But I ducked my head, my breath caught in my throat.

"But you want me dead" he suddenly muttered smirking at me.

"Dead by my hands, not another to take the credit!" I snapped moving back to a couch.

He folded his lips and smiled sheepishly.

"If you're not coming, forget about..."

He rushed to sit down, the baby on his thighs now.

"She doesn't have to be with you"

"Well, she's the only comfort I can squeeze"

"What?"

"Sorry, I mean, I could look at"

I shot him a warning glare and then snatched my daughter from him while placing her back on the bed before returning to him.

"Take off your shirt"

"You could just rip it off"

"Rhyker! Stop flirting" I warned as he tried to hold my hand but I flung it away.

"Your shirt" I ordered again but he rolled his eyes.

"Take it off yourself, there no harm in doing that...my hands are feeling heavy..."

I turned to abandon him but he held my hand.