Chapter 201 TEIGEN XXV
ELARA
Yes, it had been 4 days but it felt like only yesterday that so much had happened. I still could not believe how reckless I was with my emotions, Ryker had to see me like that. If I hadn't reacted quickly then he would have found out everything. I could still recall the shocked and terrified look on his way when his eyes met mine.
He looked like he had a world of questions to ask, but since then he was yet to talk about any of it. Instead he seemed to be avoiding me. At the moment he was taking his evaluation test with Commander Tanner so he was busy but lately, he seemed to be a lot more occupied than usual. He was more withdrawn, his eyes retreating whenever I looked his way. He wouldn't let us be alone together, he would make Augustine tag along or call her to accompany me, much time her approval because in her words she needed to be sure I was okay enough to even be out of bed.
Did something happen? Maybe I scared him off? Ugh, my chest hurt so much with how distant he was being. I had to know what the reason was straight from him, or else it would drive me insane.
Should I tell Augustine that Ryker saw me? No, she would panicked and make sure he lost his work. He already knew one of my secrets, but this one was the biggest of all so until I was certain of what he saw and how he took it I wouldn't say a word to her. I could only know if I was able to get him alone to ask, but how?
"The Commander always drills so hard" one of the guards groan, punching the air to relieve the tension in his shoulders.
Another laughs, "this is nothing. He went easy on us because of Ryker here"
Ryker scoffs, "If anything he made us work harder because of me" he argues.
"Commander Tanner's annual evaluation tests are not something to look forward to, unfortunately"
"What part of evaluation test makes you want to look forward to it?" The guards all chuckle as they disperse into their various rooms in the guard's quarters. The only upside to Commander Tanner's intensive annual evaluation training was that they had time to rest, eat, drink and lots of stories to hear from his adventures.
Commander Tanner offered rigorous soul crushing training with one hand and good booze plus stories with the other. A fair trade all the guards would agree. Now it was time to strip down to their raw masculine selves, no guarding or protecting and just enjoy their company.
"You're going to light the bonfire this time around, Ryker! So best not be late!"
Ryker nods, "Yes of course"
He pushes his room door open, tossing his sweat cloth to the side to be picked later but the moment his eyes registered something at the corner he froze in place. There, in front of his chest stood Elara, her auburn locks cascading down her waist in all its natural glory, her hands behind her back playing with each other, her azure blue eyes peaking up at Ryker through her lashes. She smelled of mischief and excitement, the way she bobbed up and down on her toes was a dead giveaway that this was the first time she was doing something so.. risky.
Indeed for the first time Elara had managed to bypass her ladies-in-waiting and her very clingy governess. As proud as she was with herself, she was equally extremely anxious. Her quest to the knights quarters had proved difficult but she arrived safely and without being caught.
Now she was in the same proximity as Ryker, the only challenge left? Talk to him.
Ryker's eyes widened, in both shock and embarrassment. The later because of his half naked state and his recollection of their first encounter that was a lot similar to this one, in this case too she caught him off guard.
Elara smiled awkwardly, "Hi"
"What are you!?-" immediately Ryker recalls his door was left open, the chances of one of the guard's walking in made him alert as he quickly shut the door and locked it behind him.
Despite the obviously tense situation Elara had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop her heart racing at the way he locked the door. Way to read the room.
"Why did you come here? This is risky, how are you even here right now?" Ryker throws question after question, walking closer and closer to where she stood, feeling out of place.
"Before you panic, I lost my ladies and Augustine so they do not know I am here. It will take them about 30 minutes to check the whole manor for me so we're safe!" She blurts out quickly, sensing his weariness.
Ryker sighs, running his palm down his face, "Why did you go through all the trouble?"
"Because I need to speak to you and this was the only way I could"
Ryker stared dumbfounded, "what do you mean? I am with you almost every hour of the day, you could have spoken to me anytime"
Elara groans, "No! I needed to get you alone!"
The moment the words left her lips, the gravity of what she could have been implying settled between them both and her cheeks heated up. Horrified she tripped over her words trying to explain, "T-that's not what I meant"
"I know you are avoiding me"
Ryker's face drops instantly. He alerts his gaze, suddenly feeling his skin crawling with goosebumps.
How did I expect her not to notice anything? Stupid! Stupid!
"Ever since Sir Blackwood's boat party you seem... distant, withdrawn"
Ryker's heart cracks under the sadness in her tone. He did not expect his avoidance to hurt her so much.
"Was it because of what you saw?"
Her glowing eyes, the electric current that buzzed all over her form, the energy that seemed to warp the whole environment, the vibration he felt emitting from her. No, that was not what kept him away.
Yes, what he saw that day did cause some confusing questions to rise. He did not understand where that came from, but from the way she reacted he was certain she knew of what was happening to her so it was clearly nothing new.
I had a mountain of questions to ask, but I knew it was not my place to demand an answer when my past was as elusive as her identity. So, I refrained from questioning her. It was not in my job requirements to ask what I did not know, just to act, to protect her.