Chapter 216 TEIGEN XL
ELARA
"I was looking for Ryker. You see we kissed and he said a few things that completely drove me crazy so... "
"What!?"
Definitely a bad idea.
Maybe I could call out to Ryker and hope he was not asleep already?
"Ryker!" I whisper yell, going close to each door.
All to no avail. Suddenly I heard a lock click from one of the doors. Ryker, finally. But to my horror it wasn't, it was one of the male servants. I could see his old tunic through the door halfway. Oh no, I was done for. In that split second as fear suffocated my lungs and I waited in painful anticipation a strong hand latched on to mine and yanked me away.
I let out a scream, but my mouth was covered.
"Sh!" Ryker held me to his front, his hand over my mouth. We stood in his room, his back to the door. He watched through a peak as the servant boy walks out, searching around half asleep before he shrugs, gives up and goes back into his room.
Letting out a sigh, relief washes over me. Ryker echoes after me, quietly shutting the door behind him. We stay there, his hand over my lips and my back to his naked chest. Heat creeps unto my cheeks, our eyes meeting. The warmth that radiated off his bare chest and torso made my legs weak, his natural musky scent, his tight roped muscles that I could feel. So much man, so much muscle and skin for my hands to wander over.
He breaks the silence first, "Elara" the way he says my name, reprimanding but at the same time in surprise.
"Ryker" his name rolls of my tongue, it felt so natural, so familiar, so right. Breathlessly I turn, taking him in.
His toned figure, the way his eyes rested on me, burning every inch of my skin. Suddenly I was made aware of the little piece of clothing I wore and his lack there of. He looked so physically powerful, his lips plum and pink, making me yearn to have them in so many places.
His cleanly shaven face, adding to his rough delicate appearance. How strong his arms looked, how easily they could lift me with no worry at all. Could break me, the thought sounded so pleasant to me. His sculpted torso, his deep adonis belt, leading to...
"Did you come here just to stare?" His question catches me off guard, making my cheeks redden the more.
I blink, averting my gaze in embarrassment, having every intention to ogle him up later. "Uh, n-no. I-"
"I am only teasing" he chuckles softly, taking hold of my hand and pulling me towards him.
He leans casually against the door, holding onto my arms. My fingers lightly traced the bandages wrapped around his arms and his side. Guilt pierced my heart, tears burning the back of my eyes.
I lower my head, sniffling quietly. He pinches my jaw, raising my head so our eyes lock on each other. "Elara, why are there tears in your gorgeous eyes?"
My breath halts, "I-i am deeply sorry, for causing you these injuries"
"You did not cause me these injuries"
"But I did. You got these wounds trying to protect me from harm" my teary eyes met his amused ones.
"Silly" he shook his head, his curls swaying with his movements. "If anything, I should be apologising for not protecting you properly"
He parts a lock of my hair from my eyes, tucking it behind my ear "Let me look at you"
It was not a command, more of a plea. "I got sick because my powers got out of hand"
His brows raise in surprise, "Your powers?"
Should I tell him? He has already seen a lot, he must surely have questions and he is to be by my side all day, it is inevitable. "Yes, you saw my eyes that day. My powers normally flair up when my emotions get out of hand"
"Is that what caused the ground of the tournament arena to cave in?"
Elara nods awkwardly, avoiding his eyes. "Yes. That was the first time I had caused so much damage" she admits
"So do not fault yourself for what happened to me"
Ryker tenderly caresses her cheek, making the action seem so normal like he was so easily accustomed to touching her. Elara on her part felt strange, the action was new but it felt good.
"In the same way, you should also not fault yourself for my injuries. I would willingly put my life at stake for your own"
Did he know how much weight those words truly held?
It settled on her heart. How simply he said it, like it was second nature to him. Suddenly she realised something.
"Your gloves" this was the first time she had seen him without them. The feel of the pad of his fingers, gently grazing her skin brought electricity buzzing through her whole form. He stiffened, stopping his slow caress.
He had not noticed, she realised. His eyes tightened with fear as he withdrew his hand from her face like he had just been burnt. Unbeknownst to Elara, it was something that could happen. He walks passed her, going to pull on his leather gloves that sat at his table. Elara takes hold of his hand, stopping him midway.
"Let me see you without them, please? Why do you wear them all the time, I have never seen you without them"
Ryker began to spiral every passing second, his heart suffocating in anxiety. Elara notices his trembling, concern making her face. His eyes had lost focus, they were frantic letting Elara know he was not alright. She let go of his hand and he rushed over to his gloves, slipping them on.
He let's out a shaky breath, staring down at his hands. Elara felt horrible, she did not know why he always wore those gloves but from the looks of it, it was important to him. Her heart ached. She needed to apologize, it was not her place to ask anything of him, he wore them for a reason.
"Ryker, I am truly sorry. I didn-"
"Please leave" her face drops.
"Please, i-" she tries stepping closer but Ryker glances at her over his shoulder, his eyes dismissive.
"Just go Elara" his voice came out strangled.
Pain shot through her chest, tears brimming her eyes at his cold tone. She bit down on her lower lip, feeling defeated, hurt and guilty. Casting one last look at Ryker she apologises once more before walking out of the door.
Ryker squeezes his fists, anger bubbling inside of him. He was being so careless, touching her without his gloves. He could have burnt her, like he burnt that boy...