Darkness carved in bone

Chapter 30

Helen

Nothing could have awoken her from her deep, deep sleep. Exhaustion had taken her last night, after endless hours of being with Ten. She had fallen asleep in his arms, her head relaxing on his chest, as she had been lulled into a deep slumber through his steady breath and heartbeat.

She had not even awoken when he had obviously stood and left her by herself. A shadow of abandonment hit her, but it vanished the moment she could feel his phantom kisses still linger on her skin. She could still feel where his hands and fingers had brushed against her. She could still feel the light tug he had given her hair, as he had whispered that she was more beautiful than anything. She could feel the remnants of him inside her, her core sore, but in a pleasurable way.

A grumble sounded from her stomach, the sound brought her thoughts back to other matters, realizing she was starved. All of their exercise had left her hungrier than she could ever remember being before.

And as if their actions last night had not just forged a bond between their hearts, but also made a mental connection, Ten entered the door, fully clothed and wearing his fur coat, his face barely visible behind the black scarf that he had pulled up, with a tray of food that smelled heavenly of breakfast.

Helen sat up in the bed, covering her naked body with the linen she had slept in, and inhaled the smells of fresh bread, eggs and tea that flowed towards her. Her beaming smile was returned as Ten removed the scarf and chucked off his coat.

He pulled off the rough wool sweater and kicked off his boots as he sat the tray beside her and joined her at the edge of the bed.

He leaned in for a kiss, which she happily accepted. The kiss was light, but he lingered, leaning into her, and inhaling before he withdrew. She couldn't help but do the same, and could smell the cold snow on him, mixed with the smell of him.

"I didn't mean to be gone when you awoke. I hoped to be back before you even opened your eyes."

She gave him a warm smile, "I didn't mind. Especially not when you brought me food." She said, her voice light, as she started spreading the heavy butter on the warm bread.

He gave her a light chuckle and snort in reply as he added, "It's good to know I can buy your happiness and approval with food."

She shot him a short and disapproving look but couldn't say anything because of all the food she had just shoved in her mouth, but still gave him a closed lip smile as a reply to his taunt, her cheeks bulging with food.

Ten laughed again, furrowing a brow at her, his eyes lighting up as he looked at her. It seemed as if he was taking her in, bulging cheeks and all. Helen felt her cheeks heating as she looked into his eyes, who seemed to twinkle as they said that he found her incredibly beautiful.

She blinked, looking down for a moment, her chest tight as she took a sip of her tea to swallow down some of the food. She hesitated to look up at him again, the intensity to his eyes when he looked at her made something burn inside her, something she couldn't quite handle or deal with right now. It felt like a wave of pain and discomfort, and if she wanted to figure out what lay behind that pain, she would have to face some very difficult questions, which she was not yet ready to face.

Because if she was going to accept and embrace what that look meant and conveyed, and how it made her feel, she was risking her own heart. If she let him completely in, she would have to accept that she was giving her heart to a man who most likely stood on opposite sides from her. And that was something that would so certainly lead to heartbreak and pain. The burn inside her told her that all the pain and heartbreak she might would have to endure if she let him in, might be worth it, just to burn with him for a moment. Her cheeks flared again at that thought, making her heart dunk in her chest.