BLOOD OF KHARIS

CHAPTER 51: MISSING YOU

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THEY'RE ANY TYPOS/GRAMMATICAL ERRORS IN THIS ONE!

Once Freya leaves, Kharis turns to Leonidas who still has a frown on his face. His encounter with the princess did not go as she anticipated. Rather than leaving her assured and full of hope, it left fear and trepidation, as it is clear the situation has sowed seeds of doubt in him.

Should she try and convince him yet again that she had no hand in what happened leading up to, and her post-disappearance?

Slowly, she lifts her hand to touch him but decides against it, afraid he would step out and away from her.

"Why don't you take a bath? It is the door to your right."

The wearh leaves without a word, disappearing behind the doors. Kharis sits down on the bed, contemplating what to say once he emerges. A knock is heard on the door, to which she grants permission.

A maid comes in with a small smile, in her hands is a pile of clothes for Leonidas.

"You can place them on the bed, thank you."

She nods, doing as instructed before taking her leave. Leonidas comes out with a cloth around his waist.

"Fresh clothing was brought up for you," she says, meeting his eyes. He looks away, taking the clothes and placing them on one of the chests in the room before wearing a pair of knee-length braies.

Kharis swallows hard, watching his back as he moves to the chaise in the room, lying on it. Her heart sinks.

"I understand that you are upset, but I hope you believe me when I say I had no clue I was of elven blood. Princess Freya did assure me that you would come-"

"So you had the liberty to leave?"

"Yes, but she needs your help. I need your help."

"..."

Releasing a light shaky breath, she stands, heading over to him and sitting beside his lying body, her hands in her lap. Leonidas turns to see her looking down at him.

"She's not innocent or holy. She's just someone that wishes to make amends for what she did in the past. All I ask is for you to listen to her story, despite how sordid it may be. If you still maintain your stance that we should leave after that, I will gladly go with you. That is if you still want me-"

"Don't say that."

Kharis shakes her head, staring at her hands. "I saw the look on your face, Kieran, the doubt. I too wouldn't believe me if I-"

The wearh sits up, claiming her lips, and shutting her up. Kharis, kisses him back, holding his face, as they continue to devour each other. Parting her lips with his teeth, he sucks on her tongue, bringing her closer to his person.

Leonidas breaks the kiss, watching his woman pant, her eyes slowly opening.

"When Freya had told me you would have died had she not taken you, I believed her. I didn't protect you-"

Looking into his eyes, their faces still close, she replies,

"You did, Kieran. You took me to Denaizen-"

"Where the king would have found out in time"

"You didn't anticipate staying at the border for so long, it's not your fault."

"That does not change the fact that you could have died. Our child could have died, and I wouldn't know what to do-"

Leonidas was not upset with her, he was upset with himself. He didn't go to her after their encounter with Freya because he didn't feel worthy enough to be with her. He couldn't even protect her and his child!