Chapter 69 Beautiful Mistakes {3}
Ryder had the strangest nudge that his captain had sent out his bloodhounds after them. The Captain's dogs which were skilfully trained by the best were quick to detect an individual scent using a piece from the person's clothes.
He grabbed Tiana's hand, "we need to be on the move," Ryder motioned, mouthing at her.
She followed closely behind him, guiding him to a back door. And once they stepped outside, they were on the run.
She was surprisingly strong, that he noticed. She had a hand over her chest until they got to the river stretched out before then.
"We took the wrong path," she huffed, brushing a furious hand through her tussled boyish hair.
Ryder's sharp gaze flicked towards her as he propped his hands on his waist, sizing her up. "Should I be grateful to you for losing sight of where we are to cross?" He sneered.
"You can't blame me now," she gasped, holding a hand to her chest.
Ryder knew she needed more rest and more effective treatment for her injury. He was fortunate to remove the bullet from her injury, but she would need more time for such an infected wound to heal.
"Great! Now we're facing a river," Ryder looked behind him, rethinking if they should turn back to the road that they had come through.
But that would be disastrous, the hounds were closer than ever. Captain Victor must have taken a handful of men with him.
"I see tracks!"
Both Ryder and Tiana spun around in the direction of the voice. It was clearer which means Victor Thompson would be on them any moment.
Tiana ran her hands on her head. They were doomed, the river ahead of them stretched endlessly in the still night while crickets serenaded the night with their sounds.
Ryder's eyes lit up as he tugged Tiana's hand towards him. "How long can you hold your breath?" He quipped as he pulled her to the shore.
With one look at her chest, Ryder understood why this would be risky for her, but they had no choice. "We have to stay beneath the water for as long as they are here."
She followed his move, their legs pushing past the ripples of the water. Slowly, they moved towards the middle of the water, hoping that this would be their way of escape.
As their heads got swallowed by the river, they caught flashes of lights affront the shore. A dozen of men were talking all at once while Victor Thompson, their captain was yelling at them to search the shore carefully.
Three of the soldiers were beginning to trudge through the river noting the environment closely.
"They would have taken a canoe, Cap!" One of the soldiers in the water yelled.
Ryder could see the soldier's legs, just a few inches away from where they were floating. Silently, he prayed that the soldier would turn back.
"The waves are beginning to rise, Cap. They are not here!"
"Come on out then!" Captain Victor responded to him.
Ryder's prayer was answered. They should leave, he was badly in need of oxygen. He swerved his head towards Tiana, her head swung backward as she was moving with the tides of the river.
She was drowning!
He stretched out a hand towards her without trying to swim but she escaped him by just an inch. Ryder waited till the torches on the shore faded before he started swimming towards Tiana.
When he caught her, he pulled her to the shores and held her face in his hands. Water spluttered from her mouth after he slapped her face lightly.
She gasped, jerking her body in fright while clinging tightly to Ryder.
He held her head to his chest, "You are alright now, we made it."
But she was shivering as minutes waltzed by. The night was cold as ice and it would be terrible if they continued the journey to find her camp.
What was he to do?
Her injury was affected by the water. He carried her towards a shallow hole, which was close to the river.
He had been taught by his mother when he was young about some herbs that could help salvage an injury until a real medic was available. Judging by the clouds in the moonlight, it was past midnight, Ryder went out, got some turmeric and echinacea, grinded them, and placed them over her wound.
Yet, her body rose with a high temperature. With one look at her body, he was distraught at having to peel off her wet clothes. She needed heat and there was no fire.
Outside, rain had begun to fall. Every wood would be wet by the rain and there would be nothing dry to start a fire.
So, he was left with no choice again. He unbuttoned the rest of her shirt, left the wounded bandage that was concealing her breasts, and went for her trousers.
She was left with her white panties on, and he forced himself to unclothed himself - with the assurance that the heat from his body would warm her up.
He was left with his briefs as well. He pulled her towards him, lying on his side while he circled his hands around her waist.
He was aware of her soft body pressing against his body, he was also aware of her feminine presence even though she was partly a soldier. His hand brushed her face as he felt his stomach churned.
Her scent was intoxicating, reminding him how long he had been away from a woman.
This would all be over soon, he told himself. He watched the way she breathed in his arms and willed himself not to think of anything stupid.
The stir in his arms prompted him to start. He had forgotten about what had transpired. When he saw her blue eyes staring directly at him, his heart began to beat.
Her scent.
Her lips parted, jarring his senses into the present.
"You were so deep in sleep, I didn't want to wake you." Her voice was sweet to his ears.
Maybe, this was a dream. He had awoken with a woman in his arms. His hands glided towards her buttocks, she shifted comfortably in his arms - another alert!
Suddenly, he pushed her out of his arms and sat up.
This was awkward, making him feel like a dandy boyfriend who had just been disciplined. He caught a glimpse of her lips quirking up in a smile.
Slowly, he turned his eyes to watch her as she stood up before him. Her back faced him. Her skin was so perfect - white without spots - he doubted that she was spy. Her hips molded in a scintillating curve, while her hands peeled off the piece of clothing wrapped around her chest.
What was she doing?
Was she going to turn around so...
A crisp folded muddled sheet fell out.
He waited till she was done wearing her shirt and trousers and she picked it up, stretching it towards him.
Ryder eyed it closely before taking it from her. "What the hell is this?" His eyes bulged.