Within his skin

Since he insists

Odeth's Pov

        I slowly withdrew from Elias when he didn't hug me back. I wasn't expecting him to though. I looked up at him.
" I want to go back to the palace" I said. He stared at me for a short while before speaking.
" Don't want to see the village anymore? I'd be with you" he said to me but his face was expressionless.

I looked down at my feet. I was already too frightened to the extent that I regretted coming out. I was scared father would find out.
" Maybe some other time. I want to go back... Please...." I begged still looking down. I was a little cold and my feet hurt already. I had never walked this distance before.

I heard him sigh
" Alright" he said. I couldn't help but wonder if he was disappointed. After putting him through the stress of bringing me out, I now wanted to go back. I'd be disappointed too if i were him.

We were finally on our way back to the palace but we didn't pass the market since Elias couldn't be seen and I didn't want to walk alone again. Elias walked in front of me taking long strides while I struggled to keep up with him, yet I was still behind. My feet were hurting so badly.

I wanted to call out to him, maybe tell him to slow down. But I didn't want to seem useless. Suddenly, I tripped on my dress and almost fell but i quickly balanced myself but with a yelp .

Elias halted. I paused too as I stared at his back. He turned to look at me and I immediately straightened myself. My heart racing. He looked me up and down raising a brow.
" Are you okay princess?" He asked, his voice as deep and heavy as ever. I gulped and nodded. I felt I could cry any moment from now, why did I come out?

Elias started walking back to me. When he got to me, he stood. I craned my head to meet his gaze.
" You're tired" he stated. I stared at him blankly not knowing if I should deny it or not. He sighed again and turned his back at me, then squatted in front of me, yet his head still reached my chest.

I stared at his back
" Get on" he said. I blinked shifting backwards
" No no no... It's fine. I can walk" I said quickly. This was general War. I couldn't picture myself being carried by him. I was probably being a burden.

" You want me to throw you over my shoulder?" He asked. His tune angry. I kept quiet, I didn't want that.
" Get on" he said again.
' Since he insists' I thought. I was really tired anyway. I walked closer to him and wrapped my hands around his neck leaning my body on him and without warning, he stood. I let out a little scream and wrapped my legs around him.

I felt so high up from the ground. He held my legs and started walking. We both remained silent. He walked like I wasn't on him, like I weighed a feather. After a while, he took in a long breathe.

" Are you tired?" I asked by his ear. He hissed
" Do not breath against my neck" he said seriously. I blinked not expecting that and started trying to control my breathes as I turned my face away from his neck. We both fell silent again.

This time he was the one who spoke.
" Why do you smell like this princess?" He asked. I didn't quite understand and I quickly felt self conscious and tried sniffing myself.
" I smell?" I asked a little embarrassed and afraid of what his answer might be.

He was silent for a while.
" You smell like wildflowers and something I can't put my hands on" he said. I didn't know what to say at first.
" Is that a good thing?" I asked not wanting to be happy about it yet.
" I don't know. But it's enticing and intoxicating... And seductive... And calmly and desirable... And alluringly....and...." He was listing.

I felt myself blushing hard.
" Elias" I called softly Stopping him. He went quiet and took a deep breath.
" Thank you" I muttered. He stopped walking, his breathes coming out heavily. I felt guilty.
" Are you tired? You can put me down... I think I can walk now..." I said and quickly tried to jump down but he stopped me.

" I like the way you say my name" he voiced. I blinked. My face heating up even more..
" And I'm not tired. I don't get tired. I can't get tired. Especially when carrying you. It's just what your scent and your voice do to me" he said and started walking again. I didn't know what to say, so I just rested my head against his back..

He didn't say anything else until we got into the palace. He took me to my room and placed me on my bed. Before I could even say thank you, he was out.

I found myself starring at the ceiling. A smile slowly creeping into my face. Going into the village wasn't so bad after all. I held my face as I turned side to side on the bed.
' I want to go out again with him. I really want to..' I screamed in my head. I thought back to how he described my scent.

' Seductive? Desirable...?' I thought. I couldn't help but wonder how many more words he was going to use in describing my scent. But does that mean.. he wants me.. or.... What? Do I really smell like wildflowers? What do wildflowers even smell like?

I was unable to stop thinking about it until I finally fell asleep. I happened to dream about Elias. Reliving how the night went with him again.

* * *

     I heard Isidore's voice as my eyes fluttered open. She was already pulling the curtains open, allowing sunlight into the room. She then turned to me...
" Good morning princess" she greeted with a small bow of her head, her hands holding each other in front of her.

" Can't I sleep a little more?" I complained rolling to my other side closing my eyes again.
" My princess. Breakfast is ready. The emperor is waiting for you. Also, the general is joining for breakfast. They are all waiting for you" Isidore said and at that I sat up immediately. The sleep disappearing from my eyes.

" Elias?" I asked. She gave me a questioning look
" Sorry. The general?" I asked and she nodded.

I got up immediately and ran into the bathroom. I took my bath and quickly got dressed with Isidore's help and headed for the dining room.

He would be joining for breakfast again. I wonder why this time? Did he want to see me or..... Was he angry? Would he tell father we went out? I increased my pace. He wouldn't do that. I told myself, but still I panicked.

Okay.... Another chapter down. Hope y'all like it.

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