Chapter 195 TEIGEN XIX
With each passing day her thoughts grew bolder, so much so that she would stare intently at Ryker while he trained in the guard's quarters, every morning before she would leave for the wild lands.
She watched on at how his back muscles tensed with each blow or jab at the guard sparing with him. The way his arms would flex as he struck the wood dummy with his sword. Tiny beads of sweat would coat his form, making his skin glisten under the warm morning sun, tempting and fueling all of Elara's imaginations.
She would hide behind the pillars, watching, mastering how utterly handsome and powerful he looked shirtless. His lean torso bare, his toned chest and bulky arms on full display for her to see. Now as she watched him get into the carriage beside her she could not help but burn with embarrassment knowing she had seen him without the shirt he currently wore.
The thought alone made her face redden the more, she tried to conceal it with her black veil. By the time they arrived at the manor Augustine had left the back entrance to the servant's quarters open for them to easily slip in. They hid behind the walls, trying to evade the guards and maids stalking around. They just needed to make it to the stairs leading to the Elara's quarters, the guards would not be there at this time of the night.
They quietly make their way to the hallway next to the grand stairs. Suddenly the sound of a guard's foot steps reach Ryker's ears and he pulls Elara to a corner, avoiding being seen by the guard. In the process he pushes against her, towering over her much smaller frame, their closeness making her cheeks bleach crimson and her knees buckle. Her back against the wall, his partially hunched over form covering her, his arms on equal sides beside her head. She swallows nervously, her eyes greedily eyeing him and he doing the same. They stand there for a few minutes, just observing each other, their gaze drifting down to each other's lips. Like magnets they begin to lean closer, Ryker dipping his head lower so their lips are just a breath apart before he realises himself just a second before their lips touch.
Ryker jerks back, snapping back into his senses. Elara blinks away her haze, gazing away to hide her blushed cheeks.
"Come with me" Ryker leads the way again, pretending like they were not just about to kiss. He preferred to pretend he did not feel Elara moving closer to him as well. Better to lie to himself than admit they were just about to cross the very thick line Augustine had drawn. Ryker successfully leads Elara up to her quarters, his disbelief and shock not wavering as he stands at the door to her chambers with her.
She turns to the door, hesitating to open it. For some reason he refused to think of he waited for her, he knew not what he waited for but he just did. She turns back to him, her gaze shying away from his.
She twirls her hair with her fingers a telltale for her nervousness, "Thank you, for coming to my rescue" she looks up at him to see him staring dreamily down at her.
He retains his posture, nodding to tell her he understood. She pursed her lips, watching his stoic expression return but there was a softness in his eyes that she would not miss. She steps closer, gets on her toes and places a light kiss against his cheek. He's taken aback as she pulls away, but before he could react she opens her door and rushes inside.
Ryker stands there, hand against his cheek he stared at the door she had just vanished behind. His heart raced, his body warmed and his pupils dilated. Once again he had done a horrible job and keeping his distance, instead he had begun to breach it, large chunks after the other till it remained but a very thin wood plank, one that would no doubt give way soon.
As I watch him wield his sword, his muscles ripple beneath his skin like waves on a turbulent sea. Every swing, every parry, every thrust reveals a symphony of strength and agility.
His torso twists, his arms flex, and his legs coil with power.
His chest heaves with each labored breath, drawing my gaze to the sculpted contours of his torso, his body, accentuating the broad shoulders, the chiseled abs, and the sharp lines of his adonis belt. Sweat glistens on his skin, like dew on a summer morning, inviting me to trace the paths it takes as it trickles down his face, neck, and chest. His eyes burn with focus, his jaw clenched in determination.
Each movement unleashes a fresh wave of desire within me. I crave to feel his warmth, to taste the sweat on his skin, to be enveloped by his strength.His sword slices through the air, a blur of steel and deadly precision. Yet, all I see is him – the warrior, the protector, the beautiful, battling form that stirs my soul.My heart pounds in rhythm with his exertions, my breath catching in my throat. I am transfixed, a captive to his raw power and unbridled passion.In this moment, I am his, completely and utterly.
"My lady?" I froze, a chill going down my spine, the breath getting stuck in my throat.
I turned, stiffened "Augustine"
She looked over my shoulder, narrowing her gaze suspiciously as she watched Ryker training unbeknownst to him the two pair of eyes watching him. "Why are you-?"
"I- I was fascinated! With the sword fighting, yes" I gulp down harshly.
Where was I going with this?
"You know I never get to watch the guards train so now I can, I just wanted to see the training... " I drift off, trying to shake the cold sweat that overcame me as a result of the look of mistrust on Augustine's face.
"W-what brings you here?"
I ask to take her mind off my awful lie. I had never had any reason to lie to her, as my wet nurse she knew me inside out and no doubt could tell I was being deceitful. She eyed me from head to toe, "Hmm" she nodded once
"The Grand Duke has informed me, the Marquese Sawyer has asked for your company at his park opening party. He has invited you to come and unveil the new park"