Chapter 25 Two Gusts
Our lips brushed, barely any pressure, but enough for us to step back with the same startled face.
The interrupting knight’s happy face fell when he saw us. “Oh. Uhhhh. Sorry to disturb your business, Captain,” he said and quickly slunk out.
We stood in silence as Jackson whirled away, and I covered my face. I had never felt more embarrassed in my life, including my last life. I peeked at the captain and caught him covering his mouth. Though I couldn’t see his face, I noticed his ears were as red as my face.
Jackson cleared his throat before grunting, “You’re dismissed.”
Without a word, I spun on my heel and stiffly walked to the tent’s entrance.
“Wait.”
His single word froze me like a statue, yet I still couldn’t bring myself to speak. I peeked at him again and saw him watching me out of the corner of his eye.
“Do you have a tent to sleep in tonight?” Jackson asked.
“Y—yes, um, yeah. Yeah, Erik, uh… Erik is making my tent,” I stuttered pathetically.
“Erik?!” Jackson echoed, spinning around.
“Yes, sir… He, uh, he offered while I was busy with you…” I explained.
Jackson fell silent, his expression unreadable, yet his gaze still had that sternness.
My head tilted, voice hesitant. “Captain…?”
After a moment, Jackson turned away. “It’s nothing. Get some rest, Robin.”
“Yes, sir,” I murmured, promptly leaving. I felt his gaze the whole way out.
Icy wind and rain instantly hit me, but I welcomed it, hoping it’d cool off my heated body.
“Robin!” Erik called from afar, waving me over.
I came over to him, looking at the tent behind him. A common tent size, small enough for me to duck my head but big enough for me to lay down.
“Is this my tent?” I asked.
“Yeah, what do you think?”
“It’s—” Before I could respond, I spotted Jackson emerging from the group tent. He headed a little ways away to a clutter of tents. He pulled back the flap to one of the tents, paused, and then his gaze snapped to my direction. I stiffened and whirled around.
“Uh, it’s great. Thanks,” I stuttered, quickly stepping inside. I peeked over my shoulder, but Jackson already entered his tent.
Erik followed me, looking me up and down before his brows furrowed. “You alright? Your face is almost as red as your hair. Are you catching a fever?”
“No, I… Actually, I am feeling a little under the weather. I’m gonna get some sleep, if you don’t mind,” I said, lying down on the sleeping bag.
“Shall I stay with you?” Erik asked, sitting beside me. “Just in case your fever worsens.”
“That’s not necessary, I’ll be fine.”
“I insist. If you become too ill to travel, I’ll be the one to blame,” Erik murmured, gaze softening. “I can tell you’ve been pushing yourself. Let me help you.”
I hesitated and glimpsed my tent’s opening. Jackson may be the rudest man I’ve ever met, but I couldn’t deny that every act he’s done for me was to help me. He’s protective.
My gaze traveled back to Erik and I bit my tongue.
Too protective. If he finds out Erik was staying the night in my tent with me…
The thought made me bristle. Erik noticed I looked uncomfortable and he tilted his head.
“If I’m crossing a boundary, I…” he hesitated.
“No! No, you’re fine. I…. sure. You can stay for a while,” I whispered. Erik’s smile spread into a grin.
Captain or not, Jackson has no say over my life.
I untied the damp cloak draped around me. I thought about returning it to Jackson, but quickly thought otherwise. The thought of even making eye contact with him flared my cheeks and I covered my face again.
“Robin?” Erik asked confusedly.
“I’m fine! I’m fine.”
“I was going to ask if you needed help taking off your armor.”
“Oh. I think I’ve got it… maybe?” I grunted, struggling to reach behind myself.
It was a lot easier to put on!
Erik chuckled and helped me unfasten the leather straps tethering my armor together. Free of my armor, wearing only the new clothes Jackson bought me, the chilly night hit me mercilessly. I shivered, teeth chattering. My breasts ached from the shirt’s tightness—a problem I’ve never dealt with before, and hard to ignore.
Erik’s gaze traveled my body. “Your clothes are nice. Everything you have is brand new.”
“That was Ja— …Thanks,” I murmured, not wanting to bring up the captain, and settled into the sleeping bag.
My back faced Erik as he sat down next to me. His masculine scent filled my nose, having a hint of pine in it. Even with my eyes squeezed tight, counting imaginary sheep jumping under the moon, my overstimulated mind wouldn’t calm. Worse, he was close enough for his body heat to warm my back. My body couldn’t relax.
This was my first time sleeping with a man in the same space as me, let alone right next to me. I always thought my first time would’ve been with Prince Henry.
Erik noticed my tension without having to see my face, and placed his hand on my shoulder, slowly sliding it down my arm to my elbow.
That’s not helping.
Hoping that he wasn’t looking, I slid my hand under my shirt and massaged my breast, praying that’d ease the uncomfortable pain. It did. I released a quiet sigh and reached for the other one until a thought crossed my mind that froze my hand.
These aren’t my breasts.
My face flushed hotter than ever as I hugged a blanket, smothering my face into the damp cloth, until a familiar scent hit me. Musky with a hint of metal, and I realized the blanket was Jackson’s cloak. My jittery anxiousness eased the moment I inhaled his scent, even Erik’s touch didn’t bother me anymore. I pressed my face into the cloak, taking in Jackson’s scent with each breath, and sleep finally claimed me.
Darkness. An eternal night. The void.
My eyes open to the familiar black expanse. I looked down at my hands. They had my creamy skin tone and polished fingernails. Ragged clothes were replaced with an ivory and gold dress.
I’m back in my body.
“Robin?” I instantly called, looking around.
Silence.
Will she ever speak to me?
My lips pursed, hands balling into fists. Without direction, I walked. The clacking from my glass heels echoed.
“Hello?” My voice echoed.
No answer.
As my eyes adjusted to the dark, I finally spotted a figure.
“Robin!” I hurried over, almost tripping over my glass heels. I froze a distance away until I could see her green eyes. I was still too nervous to get any closer to the mysterious woman.
Robin stared upward, not reacting to my presence.
Can’t she hear me?
I followed her gaze. Above us were swirling lights, rippling like water, glowing with enchanting sparkles. Squinting closer, I spotted a blurry image hidden within. Gradually, the rippling lights dulled in the center to reveal it.
My jaw dropped, eyes flying wide. “What in the devil’s name…”