28 Chapter 28: The Beginning of Yuliah and Ryas

Their relationship changed quickly, from that of savior and damsel in distress to lovers in the absence of a few days. She knew, and he knew it was moving too fast, but in the short amount of time they spent together they had grown on one another, cared and liked each other. There were no reservations anymore.

Yuliah brought out feelings in Ryas that had laid dormant for years. Feelings that he didn't think he would be capable of experiencing again. The Ethereal Spirit pulsed through his veins when she jumped into his arms. He clasped one hand around Yuliah's waist, the other on the back of her head, with his fingers tangled in her hair. He drew her closer to him, in that dark cave, until the rise and fall of each breath she took drummed against his chest. He returned her intrusion on his mouth with quick caresses to her tongue. The sweetness of her breath replaced the stench of blood and sweat that filled his noise earlier.

Yuliah let out a small whine. She had found her home, a place she felt safe, where she belonged, and that place was next to Ryas. He had become the light to her darkness, the comfort to her pain, and happiness at that moment.

Ryas felt her need as it began to overwhelm her and pulled away. "I was worried about you," he sounded gentler than she'd heard before.

"You were worried about me?" Yuliah rolled onto the balls of her feet. Her lips curled up at Ryas words.

"Of course. I did promise to get you safely to the south," he took in her scent. "Your different today as well," he took another sniff.

"Is that good or bad?" she asked.

"Both," he yanked on the hair in his hand, and her head tilted back.

"Perfect," she winced. "I want to be different." She knew that being different would be the only way to capture his attention, for a Man to be as old as he looked and still unmarried. She assumed he was still unmarried. He must not have found anyone interesting enough to like.

His nose skimmed across her throat taking in deep breaths of her scent again. "I like different."

"Different is the only way I can make you mine." She meshed her lips against his.

Ryas accepted her gesture by pressing his lips more passionately against hers. Then pulled away leaving Yuliah wanting more. "How do you expect to do that?" he released her hair. "I won't fall for simple tricks," his thumb traced over her lips now.

Like hot embers in the pit of her stomach, her heat rose up and through her mouth. She took another kiss and savored it. "Mmmmm," her eyes closed. "You're already kissing me. It must be working," she laughed.

"No, I'm just figuring out how you work." Ryas doused her rising heat with his lips once more. "You're more confident than before," he tilted his head back to get a better look at her.

Yuliah wasn't sure how he could see her when they stood in a dark cave.

"I like confidence," Ryas said.

"Moootherrr..." A cry echoed through the cave. Putting an end to their sweet reunion.

"There's something I need to do before we leave," Ryas' remembered. His voice changed from teasing her to a serious tone. "It's not going to be pretty. I don't want you to see this."

Ugliness had become a part of this world more than before. Yuliah knew that, and she was a Blood Bearer now; there would be worst things to face. "Thank you, but I should see it."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes, I am," Yuliah swallowed.

He kissed her forehead, "I care about you. If what I do becomes too much, tell me, and I will stop."

"Ummm," she answered.

"Hold onto me and stay close." Ryas handed her the back end of his cloak then released his Ethereal Spirit, and the cave lit up.

The stone walls lit up with drawings of the creatures and a woman who had long golden hair. How long had they been living in the cave? Yuliah glanced around. It must have been quite a while; the colors looked faded. The paintings and creatures reminded her of children desperately searching for their Mother; she felt sorry for wanting to hurt them.

Once at the back of the cave, bits and pieces of bodies were scattered everywhere mixed with a rancid stench. Yuliah immediately clutched onto Ryas and covered her nose with his cloak.

"Mooother..." Crazy Eye's head tilted from side to side. The yellow iris that swirled had become a smashed blotch inside his left eye. He wept and gurgled on the ground. A gash stretched from his head to chin, and his body a mangled mess. Yuliah turned away and hid behind Ryas. "That's terrible."

Ryas pushed her further behind him, shielding her from Crazy Eye's sight. He nudged the creature with his foot. "Who sent you here?" He asked.

"Father. He said our Mother was here," Crazy Eyes head lolled sideways onto the stone floor.

"Who's your Father?" Ryas bent down and pushed his head to wake him.

Yuliah gripped Ryas' shoulder, her head felt dizzy, and her ears rang. "Aleric," she said. He was the only one who could conjure up such vile creatures.

Ryas looked over his shoulder and up at her; his eyes narrowed in on her face. "How do you know his name?"

"I'll tell you when we get out of here," she looked pained.

He continued to torture Crazy Eye, whose cries rang through the cave, and shrills became so loud that Yuliah covered her ears. It went on until he gave up and provided Ryas with the passageway they took to get through Murai.

"Enough Ryas," her hand touched his shoulder, and he stopped. "What are you going to do with him now?" Yuliah asked.

"Can you wait for me outside," his hand closed around the hilt of his sword.

"Mmmm," she nodded and slowly made her way over to the cave walls. It was better this way. She told herself.

"Mother," Crazy Eye muttered. His voice was childlike.

Yuliah gripped the wall hard. She had wanted revenge, wanted to hurt them, but when it did happen why did it feel so awful?

"Ressst," he giggled.

She paused with her head slightly anchored back, her mouth opened but no words came out. She turned back around when the clanging of Ryas' sword hilt echoed behind her. With heavy-footed steps, Yuliah made her way towards the shafts of sunlight that stretched into the entrance of the cave. She then followed them across the hard floor. Shortly after she exited Ryas followed.

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"You've been quiet since we left the cave. What's wrong?" He tightened his arms around her and released his Ethereal Spirit to keep the cold away.

Yuliah closed her eyes, lifted her head towards the sky. She inhaled then exhaled. She was glad to be out of the cave, to put what happened with the creatures behind her, and back with Ryas' again. The heat from the sun warmed

her face while she tried to concentrate on the shift in their relationship. She wanted him to confirm, what it was they were to each other, but, she needed to figure out what to do about Aleric and her missing brother.

"I'm thinking," Yuliah answered. She had killed three people and an entire race of creatures so far — monsters who may have been innocent but born on the wrong side — her Parents, and Yujen. The guilt had started to sink in.

"Did something happen?"

"Yes," she nodded. "That thing you killed. The one that called me Mother. When he touched me with his eye, it pulled me into the Ethereal Flow." Yuliah wasn't sure how or where to even begin telling Ryas what happened in there.

"What did you see?"

"Aleric," she answered.

He didn't reply right away but continued to steer the horse ahead. "So his name is Aleric," Ryas finally spoke. "He created the Nomens. By giving them a dark version of the Ethereal Spirit," his mouth curled into a sneer.

Yuliah wanted to ask Ryas why he hated the Nomens but decided to keep the focus about Aleric instead. "I've seen what he does. He's evil and scares me." She suddenly remembered what General Wey had told her about having bad blood. Yuliah questioned if she should tell Ryas or not about her being a Blood Bearer. What if he asked her more questions and finds out that she's half Nomen? Yuliah didn't want to lose what they had or just started but wanted him to know the truth. Not sure where to began she started talking about General Wey.

"I told General Wey I wanted to leave the Northern Kingdom, but he said there's no place for me out here." Yuliah took a deep breath and turned her attention to a patch of flowers they passed. She wanted to ease him into it. "General Wey said I had bad blood, that no Man in this world could keep me safe," Yuliah sighed. "I know what he meant now," she waited for Ryas to ask her why but he didn't. "I'm worried," she sank back into his body. "That I might not be strong enough." Why didn't he ask her any questions?

"Your place is here with me now, and I won't let Aleric hurt you," Ryas answered.

Yuliah sighed and right as she were about to open her mouth he cut her off.

"I'm going to kill him and everyone responsible for the death of my people," he stiffened.

She wasn't sure anymore if now was the right time to tell him. "He killed the people closest to me too and took my brother. The Ethereal Flow showed me all of that," she shared with Ryas instead.

"I'll help you look for your brother, and I'll deal with Aleric," his hand cupped the side of her face. "After I deal with the Nomens first."

"Why do you hate the Nomens so much?" She finally asked. Would he hate her too if he knew she was half Nomen?

"They were once Geneoshi but sided with Aleric. He gave them the dark Ethereal Spirit. They used it to kill and enslave my people. Then right before a truce was to be brokered between the three races. Their King turned on us.

"How do you know it was him?"

"King Baasa was the only one who knew the locations of the last Geneoshi Kingdoms."

That was her real Father. He died for her; he didn't tell Aleric anything. She wanted to say to Ryas, but the words could not come out.

Ryas instead continued to tell her what happened.

Yuliah had seen it already in the Ethereal Flow but pretended not to know.

"Aleric came with his armies and killed everyone while we were away."

"Why were you away?" She asked another question she already knew the answer too.

"I left in the night when the call from the Blood Bearer came," Ryas voice grew angry. "Only the Geneoshi who can harness the power of the Ethereal Spirit are warriors. I'm the only one from my royal family who can."

Her body felt heavier as she leaned into Ryas and a dull ache drummed from inside her chest. Tears pooled in her eyes. "Ryas, I'm - I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault they died. It's Aleric's," he kissed her head. "My younger sister would have liked you, and my Mother and Brother would have loved you," he smiled.

Would they have? Knowing she was responsible for killing them?

"Are there any of your people left?"

"Yes a few only but we have been fighting with the Nomens and Aleric for too long. Many have died or grew tired of war and disappeared"

"Do you grow tired?" Yuliah asked. He looked young and possibly in his early thirties, but when he spoke his real age and tiredness showed on his face.

"I do, but I'm a royal. I must protect and serve the Ethereal Spirit. It's my duty."

Shaking Yuliah leaned against Ryas and closed her eyes. "I need to rest a bit."

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By the time the sun began to set Yuliah had awakened from her nap and they had traveled through miles of mountain and forests already. She spent most of their morning and into late afternoon asking Ryas about the Southern Kingdom and Geneoshi customs. He enjoyed telling her about it and watching her curiosity.

He had been on the lookout for a decent place to camp when Yuliah asked him a question.

Something that she knew the answer to already deep down inside. "Earlier, what did you mean by the call from the blood bearer? Do you know what she looks like?" Yuliah had been wondering about it the whole time.

"The Geneoshi Warriors protect the Blood Bearer. We don't know who he is, but he carries an Ethereal Ring. It either calls us to arms or can send the Ethereal Spirit back. My guess is the Blood Bearer has to be the first of the Geneoshi, and the Nomens destroyed that line." Ryas sounded angry again at the mention of Nomens.

She could tell he had a lot of hate towards the Nomens. "Would you ever consider being with a Nomen?" She suddenly asked.

"NO. Not after what the Nomens did. The females look beastly and can turn you sterile," Ryas said.

Even more afraid now to tell him the truth. Yuliah changed their conversation. "So how old are you?" Yuliah asked.

"I'm 1895 years."

"WHAT? I kissed an old Man," Yuliah covered her mouth and spun around to look at him.

Ryas shot her a frown, "Yea you did, and I know you liked it," he ruffled her hair.

"Don't," she turned ahead again and pushed back against his chest as he flexed. His upper body had tightened stiff as a wall against her back.

"Can an old Man be this strong," he chuckled in her ear.

"Stop it," she laughed. It was a happiness she hadn't experienced before. This feeling must be how it is to be around someone who truly cared for her. Not like Liang. The thought of Liang reminded her of his words. Things he said to put her down every chance he got. She wanted to tell Ryas about him.

"Liang always told me, beside him there would never be a Man who would love an ungrateful bitch like me," she swallowed. "That all the Men would only want me for my body." Yuliah exhaled.

He didn't answer her but slowed his horse down to a lazy walk, almost a complete stop.

"Ryas," Yuliah asked. "Should I have stayed and married Liang?"

He stopped his horse completely and jumped down. Large patches of flowers surrounded them. Yuliah could smell the strong fragrances stirring in the air.

Ryas didn't look at her but held his hand out for hers. When Yuliah took hold of his hand, he lifted her down. Then bent his head down until they were face to face. His eyes bore into hers, as though he were peering into her soul, "No," he said. "Of course I want your body as well," a smile tugged at his lips. "But I want more than just that from you. Forget him and know only me." He waited for her reaction.

Yuliah threw her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. If she could be selfish, this was all she needed. He had been her only comfort and where she wanted to be.

Ryas closed his arms around her. "What do you want from this life?" He moved his hands to her face and lifted her chin towards him. "I'm Ryas fucking Ib. I can give you anything that you want." He grinned at her.

Yuliah swallowed and bit down on her bottom lip. She inhaled deeply through her nose and fought hard to hold back her tears. Ryas had reached down into the depths of her heart and found the loneliness, and pain she had hidden away for so long. He stripped it all away with his words, comfort, and actions. A man she hardly knew. If this was love, she wanted it.

He was the first to ask her that simple question. The care - The sincerity in his eyes and face - they were more real then she'd felt before. It touched her deeply, and tears of happiness poured out.

He smiled at her, "Did my words touch you that much?" Ryas wiped the tears from her eyes with his thumbs. His feelings had grown and changed for her. He was captivated by this young woman's fondness and loyalty towards him. He enjoyed her innocence and stunning beauty. "Tell me what you want, and I'll give it to you." He wanted to impress her suddenly. He had closed the door on these emotions centuries ago, but now they came rushing back.

She exhaled, "I want to be free," her face scrunched up. " I want to break these chains and leave... from this place," her nostrils flared, and she turned her eyes downward as tears dropped from her face. "I want to be strong for once." Ryas didn't take his gaze off her, but he observed her. She forced a smile when she looked up at him, "I don't believe - I don't feel - alive anymore. I'm just living to live," Yuliah sniffed, and more tears spilled down her face.

He continued to wipe her tears and listened to her cry. A lock of Yuliah's hair fell across her face. He twirled it between his fingers feeling it's texture, "I'll teach you how to become strong," he tucked the strand behind her ear. Next, he pointed to her heart, "Then I'm going to break these chains and free you from here." His steel blue eyes turned a soft hue when he spoke, "I'll give you a reason to live - to feel again."

Her eyes glassed over lost in his, "Forever?" It had to be forever with Ryas.

He gave her a half sided smirk; it turned her thoughts to mush. Yuliah's heart fluttered as he moved in towards her with no sign of stopping.

She was hoping for a kiss and froze as he leaned in closer and closer. She even closed her eyes and waited.

"Your face," he placed both hands on her cheeks. "It's healed without any scars. Your pretty lucky I'm such a great guy."

Her ears burned hot by the time her eyes opened. Ryas had his face within a half inch of hers. He turned her head from side to side. She sighed.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

She wanted him to kiss her again. "Nothing. I'm glad it's healed. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find myself a Man anymore."

Ryas gave her a displeased look, "So you're looking for a new Man already. I see," he grabbed her chin. "I should have let this pretty face scarred over then," and kissed her.

Her pulse took off racing against her heart and her knees buckled from beneath her, and she slipped. Ryas caught her in his arms.

His touch she craved it. She slid her hands under his shirt and ran her fingers over the hard pecks of his stomach and then to his chest. Good Gods! He felt perfect, and she wanted him even more. Her hands slid in the opposite direction. He laughed, "Be careful. That's a biiig burden to bare," Ryas cocked his head to the side and looked at her. "Are you sure you can handle it?" He was thrilled with himself. "That's a lifetime commitment," his eyes quickly darted downward and so did his head then back up again.

Yuliah patted the slight bulge below his stomach. "Maybe someday," she pushed him back and pranced off smiling.

A booming laugh erupted from behind her. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Ryas with his hands clasped to his chest.

He enjoyed her teasing and forced confidence. He knew she was cub pretending to be a tigress.

Yuliah barely had enough self-control to escape him. She wanted his lips on hers and his whole body. She wanted it badly that her inner thighs ached, but she wasn't sure what their relationship was. To solidify her standing with him, she didn't want to give in to him that easily. Who would buy the cow if they get the milk for free? Luckily she pulled away in time.

"We should get to bed," Ryas caught up with her.

"Why are we staying in a field full of flowers?" Yuliah asked.

"I wanted to surround you with pretty things and cheer you up," he held her close.

"Thank you." Yuliah's eyes sparkled in the light of the moon. Her ache for him began to stir again. She broke from his grip and headed for their bedroll, unpacked it and crawled in. Her body could not tire as her desire burned strongly again.

Ryas stretched his arms over and snuggled her tightly against the cradle of his chest. "I don't want to lose you again."

Yuliah sighed. Good Gods! It was going to be a long night for her. She started counting the stars in the night sky until her body tired. When her eyes finally closed her mind continued to play. Play it did for her dreams were filled with nothing but dirty images of Ryas all night...