Ileus: The Dark Prince

Chapter 551 - Butterfly

Kaizan's chest rumbled with a growl and he stared at Olivia for a long time. He nodded his approval and then gestured to her with his chin to follow him.

They came back to the camp to find that Strumb was already dressing a few rabbits and thin squirrels for cooking. Kaizan made the fire and the rabbits were skewered. They were roasting over the flame soon. Dresdin created a small fire on the side. He let it burn for some time until only red embers were left. Then he placed a thin metal sheet over it. As the sheet heated, he stirred flour with water in a bowl. When the sheet was sufficiently heated, he started spreading the flour over it to make cakes.

Olivia couldn't remember the last time she had this kind of freedom in the wild. She was so excited. Sitting beside Kaizan she watched the two soldiers making a simple dinner that was mouthwatering. Kaizan leaned towards her and said, "The Mords don't like their women sipping tea with them, and if by chance you have to do that, just make sure that you don't slurp or look at the men."

She sighed. "So much servitude?" Despite her remark she was looking forward to meeting them.

The soldiers served dinner to Kaizan and Olivia first before taking it for themselves. As the men conversed, Kaizan stroked her braided hair as if he didn't even notice what he was doing. Once she had her dinner, she yawned. Kaizan stroked the embers of the dying fire as they all prepared to smoke. She yawned again and wrapped her shawl tightly around her.

"Go to the tent, Olivia," said Kaizan. "We are going to stay up for a long time since each one of us will be keeping a watch. Don't forget to combine our furs because that is the only way we will stay warm. Wear your woolen socks and gloves."

Olivia bit her lip and nodded. She was getting used to his warm body against hers. She found herself waiting for him even though she was still sitting next to him. The images of him sleeping next to her stirred a nest of butterflies in her stomach. And the fact that he was showing his possessiveness in front of the soldiers, it made her feel submissive.

As he had asked her, she prepared the bed. She combined the furs, wore her gloves and socks and then slipped beneath the furs. Soon she fell asleep. She woke up slightly, bleary eyed, when Kaizan joined her beneath the blankets. He was smelling of tobacco and brew. She spooned against her and curled his arm over her waist. He covered her legs with his heavy ones and sighed over her nape. Smelling her hair, he said, "It is good you are wearing so much."

Olivia thought that she had heard wrong or was dreaming but a pale blush rose on her cheeks. She put her hand over his and then went off to sleep.

Kaizan must have risen before dawn because when she opened her eyes, she missed his warmth. He had opened the flap of the tent and came in with a tray of leftover bread and tea. "We have to start soon," he said as he placed the tray in front of her.

She blinked. Blur memories of yesterday's night flashed across her mind. Did he say that?

The sun had thrown its first ray out of the horizon when they started their journey to the Mords village. As they winded the path between tall mountains, the air got cooler. It didn't snow but the brisk wind moaned softly as if blew through the pines and firs that cloaked the slope. He had wrapped his cloak around her and pulled her closer to him. His horse was a healthy stallion that kept a steady pace. "What is his name?" she asked, running her hand through its mane. The horse was at least fifteen hands high, and his wide back made it comfortable for both of them to sit nicely. His rolling gait put her to sleep.

"Butterfly."

"What? His name is Butterfly." Olivia said with an incredulous voice. She couldn't believe that a horse as healthy as this would be named… butterfly. She stared at the muscled horse with wide eyes.

"I like butterflies. Since they don't stay with me and are afraid of me, I named him butterfly. Moreover, I couldn't name him insect. That would have been truly inappropriate."

The horse wuffled as if laughing at his name. He rolled his head, preening.

She suppressed a laughter in her throat and somehow managed to say, "Yeah, Insect would have been pretty inappropriate."

He rested his chin on her head and said, "I think that there will be a feast tonight. I will be seeing the Sarazin after a long time, and so I am pretty sure about it. Make sure that you don't talk much when you are seated with the women. They will have a sharp eye on you and will be well guarded."

She rested her back against his chest, and nodded.

They fell into silence and she dozed off in his comfortable warmth once again. She was lulled by Butterfly's rolling gait. Her cheek rested in the crook of his shoulder. As they rode, the sun rose higher and warmed the air a little. As if instinctively, she just shifted closer to him. Reveling in his fire and masculine smell, she forgot about everything else in the world.

"Olivia!" a sharp voice made her jerk open her eyes. With red and half open eyes, she looked at the black shirt that was next to her cheek. It seemed she had drooled over it. Quickly, she wiped her hand over his shirt and found that she rubbed his nipple in the process. A rumble escaped his mouth. "H—how long have I been sleeping?" she asked, looking at the wet spot where his nipple was now erect. Heat suffused through her body.

"About two hours," he replied in a hoarse voice, his breath ragged.

"Oh!" she quickly looked up and saw him staring at her. "I—I am sorry."

Kaizan twisted, and took out a leather skin from his saddlebag. "Have water. You must be thirsty."