Klevon's chest rises and falls in his sleep. The healer says that the heavy magic that hits him has rendered his magic into a state of chaos. However, it was minimized because I was in front of him.
Unfortunately, the healer is unsure why I am not affected by the magic. Does it have something to do with me being a werewolf? But Klevon has magic running through his veins too. They are like hybrid humans, created to hunt werewolves.
His eyes open, and I peer at him. "Are you feeling fine now?" I ask.
A broad grin appears on his face. He taps my nose and responds, "Why, my little werewolf, are you worried for me?"
I heave a sigh of relief. He's back to his previous, annoying self, which means he's okay already. I stand up from the chair. "Then, I will leave you to recuperate. I will also ask for your food."
I am about to leave when he catches my wrist. "Stay for a while. It's nice seeing your face the moment I open my eyes."
I patronize him. I sit right back on the stool at the side of his bed. "You realize what happened to you yesterday?" I ask.
He nods. "When the barrier breaks, magic hits us." He tries to sit up but he grunts in the process. "Care to tell me why you are unaffected?"
I stand up to help him. He looks weak. The first time I see him like this. He was always strong and his size always intimidated me. Not now though.
"I'm not sure either." I place a pillow behind him and his smile widens. I ignore it and sit at the side of his bed. "I was hoping you can tell me. Is it because I am a werewolf?"
"Probably," he answers. "Werewolves have intrinsic magic because you are directly connected to the gods."
"Mage hunters have them too, right?"
"We have, but ours is a result of experiments and training. Yours is more pure."
"So, is it possible that a werewolf attacked us?" I ask.
"The chance is high," Klevon admits.
I have been thinking about it since the healer left me alone with Klevon. However, the mage that Princess Kissa has imprisoned is not a werewolf. Yet, I still hope that other than Darius, there are other werewolves outside the hunting park.
"So?" he urges.
I shift my attention back to him.
"I don't sense that the boat is moving. I only slept for a day, right?"
"The cleanup and taking care of the injured had delayed our departure," I answer. "But from what I heard from Ami and the others, we are leaving after lunch."
I stand up. "Do you have any preference for your breakfast?" I glance at the window. "I think it's close to lunchtime now."
He only grins.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.
"You are being too kind to me."
"You got injured because of me," I say. "If you don't notice, other than the heavy magic, you are also injured when we skidded through the sea surface. You took the brunt of the damage."
"So, I did well?"
I scowl at him, suspicious. "Yes, I'm not injured because of you."
Suddenly, he jumps from the bed. He reaches for my arm and pulls me towards him. I lost my balance. He shifts in the bed so that I am placed under him, with his fingers gently caressing my cheeks.
"What are you doing?" I ask, my hands against his chest so he won't be able to lean closer.
"I deserve a prize, right?" he asks, his eyes shifting toward my mouth.
"I am kind to you. That's prize enough."
Klevon laughs. "That's true."
He sits up and returns leaning against the headboard. I glance at the way his chest rises and falls. He is heaving. He is hiding it, but that single movement is still hard.
"You do a lot of flirting, even when you are still weak."
"Can't help it," he grunts and presses his side.
I wince at the pain that registers on his face. "Are you sure you won't request anything from me? To make your recuperation faster?"
"I'm fine, Kaiya. But I am famished, so maybe you can get me some food?"
"Okay," I say. "I will get someone to serve you food."
"It's better if you return, though. I think I will enjoy being fussed over by you."
"Idiot," I say. I walk to the door, but before I leave, I turn to him again. "I will ask a pretty servant to serve you."
He smiles. "Pick someone sexy," he adds, and I roll my eyes at him.


*************************
After looking for a sexy, pretty servant to serve Klevon his early lunch, I go to Theo's room to check up on him, and mostly to act as his personal guard. The room is locked. So, I sit beside the door and hope that Princess Kissa and him are not drowning in pleasure again. Well, if they do, I will hear it outside.
I sigh. Back then, after our night of pleasure, Theo would work the entire day while I train with General Brandon. It was simple yet, every day is bliss. Only it's really not. Underneath all that, he's keeping his other women from me–women that he needs to impregnate.
I hug my knees as I stare at the wall in front of me. I wonder when I will be free of this painful love for him.
"Kaiya?" It's Ami. "We've been looking for you!"
I stand up and brush my pants. "Why?"
"The thing is, the King is missing since last night. We've found him, but…"
"He-" I look at her and then at the closed door. "I thought he was inside."
"There's no one there. Princess Kissa is with him."
"Oh!" I mutter. Are they changing locations for their lovemaking? "Then, I'm not needed here."
Maybe I should return to Klevon. I can bait him to teach me more about wind magic. Even in his almost unconscious state when we were skidding through the ocean, he is able to give minimal protection for both of us. He was even able to fly without the use of hover.
Ami blocks my path. I cock my head at her. "What is it?"
"The thing is, you might be the only one who can help us." Seeing the confusion on my face, she explains, "We can't leave without the King, and well… we are having a hard time making him return to the ship."
My frown deepens. "He and Princess Kissa plan to stay together here in Duran?" My chest constricts. "Then, I can't help you. He chooses that."
Are their relationship too deep that he's willing to…? I shake my head and force myself to look at the bright side. At least, that will give me freedom.
Ami looks away. "If you come with me, you'll understand."