As Theo had mentioned, we start to make our way toward the beach late in the afternoon. General Lorant comes with us while saying that the others are already on the ship waiting. However, Theo has a lot of documents to do before he can leave. So, he works on it for a while and left what he can't finish to General Waluyo.
Getting into the port, no citizens are waiting. It might also be the reason he chooses to leave around this time. Fewer people means lesser hassle. We can also leave earlier without the fanfare. It is a very quiet departure as if it is not a King who is leaving his domain. In fact, only two servants are waiting for us at the dock where our ship is anchored.
"Your Majesty," the servant greets. Theo climbs down the horse. He is only wearing a simple white shirt and black pants paired with boots. Rather than a King, he looks like an ordinary citizen, but a bit more handsome. I almost hit myself with that thought.
The other servant goes to me. He takes my only bag containing my personal stuff. Theo says that the rest of my clothes are already sent to the ship.
I am about to climb down when Theo rushes toward me and catches my waist. I squeal in surprise and he smiles at my reaction. Then he lifts me from the horse and I have no choice but grab onto his shoulders to steady myself. I can't believe that long dresses can be such a hindrance to my movements.
"You should pardon me. I know how hard it is for women to climb down a horse with a dress like yours."
"Why? Did you wear one yourself?" I retort, annoyed at myself for the effect he still has on me.
"You look pretty," he praises, changing the topic.
I snort. "I can't guard you effectively while wearing clothes like this."
"You will get used to it."
I don't want to though. Being this close, I can smell other women's perfume on him. And I don't want to delve into what he's doing with them. Then he grabs my waist and ushers me into the ship. I struggle against his arms, almost growling at him, but he didn't let go. Instead, his arms tighten around me and I had no choice but to allow him.
Going up the deck, I realize that it's not just nature or the way the ship is built that moves it. There are human sailors using magic to help the ship move away from the dock. I revel in the new information. The last time I traveled on a ship, I am too busy making love with Theo and studying with Harbin.
"Kaiya?" I whirl towards the familiar voice. "What are you doing here?"
It's Klevon with a mug of beer in his hands. He looks at me and my clothes, and then at Theo and the way his arms are interlaced around my waist. He raises his brows at the same time that he raises his mug of beer.
"So, the two of you already patched up your relationship? Congratulations!" he greets. Then he drinks his beer in one go. After emptying it, he wipes his mouth and adds, "I guess I will have to ask for more drinks."
He's about to leave when I reach up to his arm. His eyes brighten up and I instinctively let go. I don't like the way his expression says to me.
"I… You were injured a few weeks ago."
"Ah, that? It's not so bad."
"Not so bad? You said you are dying!"
"I was just messing with you. Mage hunters heal easily. It's the magic in our veins. Besides, I can also use fire magic. I can heal myself. In fact, I can already stand up and go about my business the next day."
"You fuck-up liar!"
Suddenly, Theo reaches for my chin and forces a kiss on my mouth. I am too surprised that I push at his chest.
"What was that?!"
"I should leave," Klevon interjects, and I hear his receding footsteps.
However, Theo continues to stare at my mouth. He lightly rubs my lips and whispers, "Just showing that you are mine."
I push at him. "I am not your belonging!"
"You never stop reminding me that, so you don't have to worry about me forgetting."
He is about to kiss me again when I slap him. I glare at him and his jaws clench. He touches his left cheek and is about to face me when I run away from him.
"Do you know our room, Kaiya? Stop rushing by yourself!" he calls.
I ignore him and continue towards what I think is the way to the rooms. I hear Theo catching up to me, so I hasten my walk. I am about to reach the entrance when Theo suddenly lifts me.
"What the-"
"Shhh, I will carry you towards our room."
"I can walk!"
"But I want to do a bridal carry with you."
"What does that even mean?!" I scold.
He opens the middle door along the hallway. He pushes it with his feet and closes it again. He drops me on the bed and teases, "We are in the middle of the rooms, so be sure to keep your voice down."
"If you do nothing to me, then I won't scream," I warn.
He removes his shirt in one fell swoop and throws it on the floor. My mouth hangs open as he crawls toward me.
"Let's enjoy the night, Kaiya," he whispers. "Don't you remember our days and nights when we were traveling from the hunting park and back to Pitchford?"
Yes, I remember, and because of that my cheeks instantly warm. Theo caresses my face and adds, "This is the ‌expression I want to see in you. I want to know that I can still affect you."
Still affect me? What the hell! I push at his shoulders, but it only has the opposite effect. The instant our skin touches, Theo lets out a moan. I pull back my hand, as if burned by the sound he is making.
"Continue, Kaiya. Push me away," he begs. "It's been a long time. I want to feel your hands on me."
But instead of doing what he wants, I jump from the bed and am about to escape the room, when it closes and locks by itself. I try the doorknob, but it's no longer working. I can't pull the door open.
"What have you done?!" I demand with gritted teeth.
"Just making sure you won't escape me," he answers.
"And that ability? Is that magic?!"
"It is. It's water magic, but more specifically, ocean water. I combined it with my wind magic and so, it might seem as if I am making things hover."
It's normal magic. At least, there is something ordinary about him.
"But ocean surrounds us… Which means I am stronger now, I am on my element here," he wiggles his brows and I look away. "And I can share that with you."
I think too fast. I still think he is strangely attached to me even if he already told me how he fell in love with me.
"It's okay if you don't want to make love to me, Kaiya." Theo stands up and approaches me. "But stay in my bed. I want to sleep right next to you."
I clench my jaws and look away. He continues to approach and extends his hands to me. "Kaiya, come here, please."
I gaze at his pleading face, to his outstretched hand, and back to his face again. Then, I take a deep breath and place my hand on his. He automatically beams. He pulls me towards him and places a gentle kiss on my temple. Suddenly, he lifts me and I wrap my arms around his neck.
"Now, let's sleep the night away," he says.
He strides back to the bed with me in his arms. Then, he gently places me down with the blanket all around me. The way he treats me is disconcerting that I find it hard to protest. Or maybe, I am not complaining because my desire is rising every time his bare skin touches mine, especially at the way my hands are wrapped around his neck. It is all strangely warm.
Even when I am already on the bed and he lies beside me, I can feel the tension in my body. It's as if I am anticipating his next moves. Right now, I am certain that it will be hard to reject his advances.
He leans over me and brushes the strands of hair on my face. Then, he gently caresses my cheeks and neck, like what he always loves to do. And my breath is caught in my throat while I gaze at him. I just hope that I am not looking at him with longing.
"Kaiya, I won't touch you without your consent."
He is touching me now though, but I think he refers to a completely different 'touch'.
"I might get frustrated and angry every time you evade me, but I will try my best to wait for you until you really want it."
I continue to stare at him. Besides, I am not sure how to respond.
"I love you and I want your love too. This is not merely lust, even if I want to make love to you every waking hour of my life, I will always choose to have your love instead."
"Right now, you are awake, so does that mean you want to make love to me?" I ask like a stupid little girl asking for confirmation. I scold myself. Why the heck am I asking him that?!
"If I let what I desire to rule my life, I will take you like an animal. Our lovemaking will be hard and rough, and I know that you always like soft and gentle."
"Sometimes you are rough to me though." Damn it! I need to stop myself! It's as if I really want him to make love to me now!
"My control slips from time to time," he pauses and looks worried. "I didn't hurt you during those times, did I?"
I shake my head. On the contrary, I am always pleased with him, except for those outright painful things. He only used bondage on me but it will take time to get used to it.
I open my mouth in surprise. Why the f*uck am I thinking that I will forgive him soon?! He didn't care about me or our child! His position is more important to him!
He senses my anger and smooths my brows. Then he leans toward me and I tightly shut my eyes. I should struggle! But here I am, waiting impatiently! Suddenly, I feel a gentle kiss on my forehead.
My eyes flew open and my hand goes to the part he kissed.
He smiles. "I will always love you, Kaiya."
Then, he gets off me and buries his face in the crook of my neck and shoulders. And for a while, I stay staring at the ceiling with his legs and left arm over my body. His breathing is warming my neck and my head is on his right arm.
I stay as immobile as possible, and when my breathing slows down, and my desire sizzles, I find myself getting drowsy. In my sleepy state, I turn to face him and snuggle on his chest. I bury my face in him and inhale his intoxicating lavender scent.