29 Chapter 29. Forever

Yuliah's legs draped over the wooden rail; her toes skim above the pelt hairs beneath her feet. The desire between her thighs absorbed by the soft cushions wedged against her bare bottom. A crisp scent fills the room scattering bumps across her exposed skin.

Straight ahead, a lean shadow pads his way towards her, his hand lifts to her chest, bends, and suddenly her back lands on layers of silk sheets.

Her core tightens when his hands slide up her legs - setting off senses all over her body. She winced when he parted her legs roughly, but moans when tenderly kisses her inner thigh, making his way inch by inch upward. She quivered when his hot breaths drew closer and closer to the junction between her legs. A burning heat started to build deep inside of her.

His smooth voice cuts through the fog in her mind, "I can give you what you need," and dipped his tongue right into her core. She lifted then dropped her bottom onto the silk sheets.

He strummed her gently, but slowly with his tongue, and played her like an adagio melody.

Then teased her, frenched her - again and again till she trembled beneath his lips. Her bottom contracted and curl. His soft black hair slips through her fingers as she rocked back and forth against his lips faster and faster, with no end to her insatiable urge until she writhed with her bottom aching.

Good Gods! Yuliah burst from her sleep into a sitting position. A bolt of pain shoots up her leg. Quickly she bends her toes forward and stretches over her thighs, relieving the tension.

She glanced sideways at Ryas who's still as a statue. Probably in a deep sleep. Yuliah leaned forward one last time before she rested again but shifted onto her back.

Stars sprinkle across the night sky above her; morning would not be here soon.

Another shock of pain shoots up her arm this time. Yuliah raised her arm, palm up and pulled her fingers back, but nothing, only the glowing crescent indent on her arm shines again at her. She threw her hand over the indent. Then peeped over at Ryas who still did not move.

She wiggled out of the bedroll and crawled towards his bag. She stuck her hand inside and touched each item until she felt a roll of cloth and a hard binding of papers, and snuck off into the night.

When morning came, Ryas touched her cheek. "Wake up," he said.

She opened then immediately closed her eyes.

"It's time to go," he lifted her up and onto her feet. She shuffled after him her eyes still closed. He climbed onto his horse, and she extended her hand for his.

Cold steel to her face jolted her eyes open. "What is this?"

"You said that you wanted to be strong. I'm going to teach you," Ryas looked down at her.

"Today?" Her head drooped sideways.

"Strength comes from your challenges. Not from your comforts."

She heard that before from the Ethereal Flow.

"Take my sword," he dropped it into her hands. "Your walking today," he pulled the reins on his horse and moved forward. "Don't fall behind."

"Noooo, I'll start tomorrow," Yuliah chased after him, but he strolled ahead. Asshole! She slumped forward with heavy steps and started walking.

The day seemed to stretch on, and the elements conspired against her, dusting her face and dress with dirt.

When they reached a cleared path of terrain, she dropped his sword to the ground and plopped onto her butt. She walked for hours already; her feet ached, her legs were cramped. She was done.

Ryas made his way around when he heard the clanging noise and eyed her. "Go ahead and rest."

Immediately her head fell into her hands. She sighed. I don't think I can do this anymore. What did the walking and carrying a heavy sword have anything to do with strength? Yuliah closed her eyes when her body began to tremble. What now?

"Pick up my sword," he called.

Hugh? Yuliah looked up confused.

He carried a smaller sword in his hand as he came down from his horse so swiftly that he seemed to be flying - right at her!

She jolted up clinging to the sword already in her hand.

"Block my attacks!" he instructed.

The sword fumbled in her hands when she tried to draw it from its sheath. A few quick strides and Ryas stood right in front of her. Yuliah quickly held up the blade still in its sheath and parried his attack. The force sent her skidding backward. Shit! He was strong. Her arms trembled and numbed.

Ryas scoffed and circled her.

Yuliah's face paled. What was she supposed to do now? He was too quick.

"Don't just stand there move," he yelled at her. "Look at my feet," he sidestepped back and forth.

Yuliah shifted to follow his motions, but stumbled over her feet and tripped sideways.

Ryas dove at her.

The sword hilt shifted in her hand as she brought it down, but he was quick and swung up. Yuliah flinched when both blades crashed into one another and Ryas moved at her.

The force from his shoulder as it made contact with her chest flipped her backward. She sprawled across the ground, "That's not fair," and coughed. "I tripped."

"You don't fight fair when your life is at stake. Remember that," he pulled her onto her feet.

In the day time, Ryas pushed her hard to become stronger, and at night she dreamed about getting tangled up in his body instead.

Dreams that became so vivid and intense; she woke up in cold sweats, thankful he could not read her mind. King Baasa called it the Mark of the Nomens and that too burned every night.

Between the training, sleepless nights, and aches, Yuliah stopped talking. When he spoke, she answered with a yes or no only.

One morning, when they were ready to head out Ryas, lifted her onto the horse with him.

"I want you to rest today," he brushed her hair to one side giving him access to her neck, where he placed a kiss.

Yuliah retreated from her thoughts, "What?"

"You get to rest today," he kissed her neck again.

"Ummm... You're too kind," she replied and turned away.

They traveled in silence for over half the day before he spoke to her again.

"We should stop here for now," Ryas said.

Yuliah looked around. Another clearing in the woods shrouded with trees, and a few paces downward sat a cold spring. "Whatever you decide."

"What's wrong? You've been acting different lately."

"I don't know." She slumped back onto his chest.

"What is it?" he began to slow them down.

"It's the Ethereal link. In the day time, I'm exhausted from the training and at night I - I have these dreams. They tear me from my sleep, and I wake up in cold sweats." She sighed.

He stopped the horse and helped her down. Then unpacked their bedroll, placed it neatly against a group of trees, and walked back to her.

His lips turned up but quickly retreated down. He put his hands on the sides of Yuliah's head. His dark blue eyes studied her intently, "It's the Blood Binding," he said. "I have to give you what you want or let it take its course," and smirked.

"What - what do you mean by giving me what I want?" Her mouth slightly opened.

His hand moved to her chin, "What have you been dreaming about?"

Yuliah's face blushed red.

A half smile spread across his face.

Oh, so he knew all along what she was going through. Her expression tightened, "SEX," she hissed at him. "I've been dreaming about having sex with you," her head snapped at him.

"Huh?" He asked again grinning.

"SEX," her puffy eyes glazed back at him, outlined in a dark red. The knots in her hair indicated she had not brushed it for a while.

"I've been dreaming about it for days," she had a look like she were about to break any moment. "I want to sleep with YOU," she blurted out.

"Sure," Ryas shrugged and unbuckled his sword belt. "Let's go wash up before we do it," he sauntered towards the hot spring.

"What?" Yuliah chased after him. "Just like that?" He must be teasing her.

His cloak, outer, and undershirts were off and draped over his arm by the time she caught up to him. Ryas started removing his boots, "Why not."

Is he serious? Yuliah searched his expression for any signs that he was teasing her, but Ryas continued to remove his boots.

He kicked his boot onto the ground, smiled at her and headed towards the spring.

Yuliah trailed behind him watching his every move. Then off came his belt and pants. Her eyes quickly scanned his upper body down to where his underpants cut off her view; he was incredible.

Then off went the last piece and she glanced sideways but back again at Ryas head.

Should I look? Her eyes fell towards the ground, but suddenly she glanced up. He had his back turned to her he wouldn't know. A broad smile stretched on her face. Her eyes swooped up from bottom to top, but he turned around.

"Impressed?" He laughed. "Does it look the same as it did in your dreams?" His arms held open to the sides giving her a full frontal view.

Wow! Everything in its entirety just there right in front of her, but his smug tone didn't sit well with her. "No," she eyed him. "It was all - much bigger in my dreams," her head tilted sideways.

He laughed and walked back into the spring until the water covered everything right below his pelvis. "You were so bold earlier; don't tell me you're scared now?"

"I'm just - getting ready."

"Then come in," he released the Ethereal Spirit, and the water began to bubble and steam around him giving the spring a dreamlike feel.

"Turn around first," she requested — now that his eyes were on her.

"I've seen it all, already."

"Fine," she undid the buttons on her dress. Then removed her undergarments piece by piece.

His eyes moved from her face to neck, breasts, and down where the thick patch of black hair hid her most vulnerable part. "Did you get a good enough look?"

He smiled, "Your really something else aren't you?" he shook his head.

"I try to be," she dipped her foot into the water.

"No. Turn around first. I want to see everything," he said.

Seriously?

"Yes," he looked at her. "Turn around."

"Alright," she made a complete spin. "Satisfied?"

"I am," he stood up and floated towards her. His blue eyes lit up, "Come here my tigress."

The palpitations in her heart started again, her feet moved towards him, and she took his hand.

Ryas tugged on her arm, and she glided through the water into his embrace.

"What do you want, Yuliah?"

"I want you. Forever" she answered.

Ryas felt an emotion he hadn't in a while, "You want forever. I can give you forever," he nodded and placed his hands on Yuliah's head. Then dunked her head into the water, "After you wash up," he laughed at her bulging eyes when she hit the water, and her limbs flapped in the air.

She stood up and coughed for air, only to see him still laughing. Then lunged at him but collided against him like he were a brick wall and bounced backward.

Ryas caught her with one swift motion. "You're such a tigress," and released his Ethereal Spirit. He pressed his glowing palms to her head, and she swatted at his arms.

A warmth swept through her body raising tiny bumps across her flushed skin. A wave of energy rose from her belly and shot straight through to her mind. She stumbled, but Ryas had his arms around her before she could drop. Her cheeks redden.

"Ease into it Yuliah," he chuckled.

What the hell did he do? She took deep breaths until she could stand again. "Did you just mind fuck me?" Her brows scrunched together.

"Call it whatever you want. I cleared the Ethereal tension from within your body. It should take care of your urges for now," Ryas waded towards the shore laughing.

"STOP," she stood up. "Don't move." Yuliah rushed after him.

He came to a halt and peered over his shoulder. She caught up to him and brushed his wet hair aside. "The Crimson Birds," her fingers traced over the image on his back. The same ones from her dream. What did this mean? She touched him again. "It's beautiful."

"You know they're real."

"What?" her eyes widened. "They exist?"

"Yes. Ninx Birds. I have two of them. I'll show you when we get to Murai." He suddenly looked concerned.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I have two important people waiting for me in Murai. You've been too distracting," he swooped her up into his arms and carried her further into the spring.

"Ryas. Nooo," she squealed. "I don't know how to swim." The most substantial body of water she had been in was a bathtub.

"I'll teach you," and he pried her arms from his neck as she continued to fight him.

He first taught her how to float and then swim. "You need to practice more. You splash around so much I can't tell if your swimming or drowning," he teased her.

Yuliah swiped the water's surface hard, hitting him in the face with water, and laughed.

Ryas leaped towards her, but before she could even dash away, he had her in his arms.

"What do you want from me?" He kissed her gently.

With the water neck deep her legs glided around his waist.

"Everything," she said. "Your love, body, and soul. Forever."

"Forever? There's no end to that - you know that right?" He gazed into her eyes. "Is that what you want?"

His blue eyes hypnotized her. "Yes," she answered.

"On one condition. That you will always be honest with me."

"Always," she answered.

"And there will never be anyone else but me."

"Only you," she touched his face.

"Forever it is then," and he sealed their fates with his lips.

Yuliah could not have been any happier and allowed his hands to explore every inch of her body. She moaned when his mouth grazed her soft peeks and rubbed its pink tips.

The sun started to set when she finally peeled herself from his arms, and he carried her back to their campsite. Ryas dried her body and hair carefully before he set her down. The soft bedroll cushioned against her bare body and eased her nerves. He shifted all his weight to the right side of her body.

Yuliah sometimes wondered when she found herself lost in his eyes if this were real. To have a Man like Ryas who treated her this tenderly.

His hands were soft but hard, making its way to her face then down her neck and around her breast. "I - I haven't been with anyone before," Yuliah confessed.

He kissed her cheek, "I know. From the way, you swallowed my lips. I could tell," he laughed softly into her ear. Then slid his hand down slowly, over her flat stomach as her breathing grew heavy, and rested his hand right above her pelvis.

"Will it be painful?" She touched his wrist.

"No," he nibbled on her ear gently, and the pinks of her breasts peeked again. "It depends," he moved onto her neck. "Breath slow and deep," he placed wet kisses down her neck. Her entire body tingled. "Concentrate on my touch. How do you feel?"

His kisses alone sent her body yearning for more and her eyes closed, "I..." She exhaled again as his hands started its descent down. "I feel..."

"Shit! Yuliah. Get dressed." He quickly rolled over her and grabbed his clothes.

She opened her eyes to clothe's hitting her face.

"Shhhhhh. Stay low." He whispered and forced her arms through the sleeves. It stretched at the seams, and she pulled on the collar around her neck.

He looped a piece of garment through her toes and pulled it up her legs. She'd forgotten about it.

"What's going on Ryas," Yuliah slid it over her bottom.

His finger fell across her lips. Then cold metal shoved into her hand. Ryas pulled Yuliah into a crouch. His fingers dug into her arm as he shuffled behind the trees, taking her with him.

The rampant sounds of the forest were gone, only the burbled of water from the spring remained. An eerie stillness spread into the woods. It chilled her soul.

Heavy steps rustled from ahead. Branches cracked and snapped from the trees. Yuliah peeked through the bushes.

Three figures emerged out of the trees and into the clearing. The tops of their heads were dodging branches and their massive bodies spaned sideways blocking the entire clearing.

"You smell that?" The biggest creature inhaled deeply its voice a low growl.