Chapter 65 Liar
Ira's POV
I blink but the dark shape perched on a low branch remains there.
“Is it just me,” I say slowly, keeping my gaze on its gleaming feathers. “...or is there a raven watching us?”
Sia and Catherine turn at the question, their eyes following my gaze to the black bird. The laughter fades, presumably because they notice the bright red eyes too.
“Yeah… I see it.” Sia slurs with a squint.
Catherine tilts her head. “It’s a big one too. I think it's pretty, though.”
But there’s something about the way it watches us… watches me. It’s so still, you could mistake it for a statue.
But a statue on a tree? Very unlikely.
The longer I look at it, the colder the chill that creeps up my spine. And it has nothing to do with the water.
“I think we should head back,” I say quietly, already stepping out of the stream.
No one argues as we scramble for the dry ground, water streaming from our skin. The night feels colder as the playful mood evaporates.
I glance around me cautiously, the forest suddenly feeling watchful, full of unseen eyes.
We wring out our undergarments as best we can and pull dresses over our damp skin, shivering now that the warmth of the liquor has burned out.
Catherine tucks the half-empty bottle into the folds of her skirt. “All set to leave?” She whispers and I nod.
“Dear moon goddess, hide your foolish daughters tonight” Sia claps her hands together, her feverish lips muttering the tearful prayer.
We move faster on our return, automatically sticking close together. My earlier lightness lingers, but it’s largely tempered down by caution.
The moment we reach the base, we separate as Sia and Cath decide to hurry back to the servant quarters.
I sprint through the corridors with chattering teeth. My damp hair clings to my neck and back as I run, hoping my steps don't alert anyone.
All I can think about is getting to my room, peeling off this soaked gown, and wrapping myself in something dry.
I shove the door open and stumble inside, before slamming it behind me.
The room is darker than it usually is. But it's warm. Without delaying any longer, my fingers fumble with laces on my partly loose dress.
I grimace as the wet fabric sticks to my skin when I drag the gown over my head. Soon after it hits the floor.
Sighing lightly I straighten, lifting my head only to jump back with a shriek.
Commander Ruel stands motionless in the middle of the room… Shirtless.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He questions firmly, his broad chest rising and falling quickly, tight skin gleaming faintly in the dimlit room.
I freeze, my arms instinctively crossing over my damp undergarments.
My gaze drops to his hips and those low-riding trousers. His dark eyes are wide, nearly looking nervous. But then his gaze narrows sharply.
Heat floods my face and I dive for my abandoned gown, clutching it to my chest like a shield. “W..Why are y..you in my room?”
He stares at me in brutal disbelief. “Your room? Have you lost your senses? This is my room.”
I blink. Then blink again…
The bed is the same, there's a small table by the window. But what I believe is his pack is on the chair, a long sharp sword leans against the wall.
Even the bed sheet is different.
Shit, I must have missed my way.
Ruel’s gaze drops, taking in my dripping hair, the water still beading on my shoulders and legs. “Why are you wet?”
I open my mouth only to close it as my mind scrambles for a lie. I wince internally when ten seconds later and nothing comes.
Ruel steps closer, his tone dark. “I asked you a question, Ira. Why are you soaked and half-dressed in my room in the middle of the night?”
“I..I uh…. This was a mistake,” I gesture weakly, my eyes glancing behind me briefly before I turn toward the door. “I’m sorry, I’ll leave at once.” I blurt, moving fast.
My feet pause when warm fingers close around my upper arm before I can take another step.
“You are not permitted to leave until you answer me.” Ruel says.
“Please let go of me.” My voice cracks, my body failing to struggle like I want it to.
He doesn’t release me, instead he guides me back until my shoulders hit the wall.
I hiss as the cold from the painted stone sinks through my undies. As a result , I push my body against him, subconsciously craving the heat pouring off him.
My heart slams against my ribs as the memory of that night attacks my mind. Suddenly I'm recalling his mouth on mine, his fingers around my throat, the way he had taken control and how I had surrendered to it.
That new feeling that I've not been able to forget.
I notice how his breathing gets hard the longer we stare at each other.
“Stupid,” he says quietly, strength coating every word. “sneaking out, returning looking like this. If someone…”
“I wasn’t alone,” I blurt out cutting him off but immediately regretting it as his jaw tightens.
“With who?”
“That’s… not your concern… commander.” I add, immediately wishing I'd kept quiet instead.
His eyes flash. “It is my concern when a servant under my command bursts into my room looking like she’s been swimming in the dead of night.” His voice turns cold. “What if a patrol had found you? What if you’d been caught breaking curfew and base rules?”
I swallow, eyes dropping. I intend to look at the floor but I never make it that far as my gaze stops on his mouth.
It's pressed in thin line… the same mouth that claimed mine days ago. I bite down on my lip when Sia’s voice echoes in my head– “I tugged his hair…”
A sudden, fierce hunger claws through me despite everything. I want to taste him again. I want to feel that forbidden power again… it's like a flame within me– to watch this all-powerful commander lose control in my arms.
I want to feel his lips bruising mine, his hands rough against my skin, his scorching breath against my skin.
Ruel coughs, a short, awkward sound and abruptly steps back. I frown as the space between us immediately feels colder.
“Leave,” he orders with a strained but firm voice. “Now.”
I don’t move. I've heard him say those words before and now I know why. But after last time I've been so confused. I need to do it again… kiss him again. Maybe then I'll understand this feeling, this craving.
He tilts his head, surprised and annoyed that I still haven't moved. “I gave you an order.” he shoots.
Slowly I step forward, my gaze on him. My voice is barely above a whisper when I speak. “You kissed me first,”
His mouth opens but he closes it, looking like he's internally struggling to catch up.
“I've not…”
“It was a mistake, one that left me terribly disappointed.” He mutters.
Liar.