Within his skin

I feel something

     We had gone very deep into the forest and it was now getting dark.
" Halt" I heard one of the warriors shout from the front and everyone came to a stop. The warrior who shouted, turned around to face everyone.

" We would camp here for the night" he spoke loudly and soon everyone on horses started climbing down. They had now gathered together.

The warrior holding my horse, tied the reins of the horse to a tree and joined the others. They went about carrying woods and setting up small bonfires. Some were building a tent, a big tent.

I soon began to panick. No one was looking my way or coming to help me down from the horse. I had never been on a horse before so obviously I had no idea on how to get down. I looked down and panicked even more, this horse was way too huge. I could easily tell it was Elias's horse.

I looked around to see if anyone would come help me, but no one was coming. They were really ignoring me because of what Elias said? Just then, I caught sight of the man who seemed to be in command. He was looking my way, two other warriors stood by him and they were saying something to him that i couldn't hear due to the distance and they were also looking at me.

I was sure that fear was evident on my face. The man in command pinched the bridge of his nose before he began to walk towards me. I waited, relaxing a little. He got to me and stood.

" Princess" he spoke
" I am Theodosius. Next in command to the general. I believe you want to get down from the horse?" He asked and I quickly nodded. He looked back at most of the warriors who had now stopped what they were doing to watch.

Elias must have really instilled fear in these men. I thought. Theodosius looked back at me.
" Please.... Permit me to be able to touch you, so I can help you down" he said. I didn't even care anymore. I just wanted my feet to be on the floor.
" Please help me down... Please. yes, you're permitted" I said nodding at the same time.

He nodded and then held my hands and helped me down, practically lifting me off the horse, but made sure to not accidentally touch any wrong part of my body. Once I was now standing on my feet, I felt relieved..

" May I ask you for a favor your highness?" Theodosius spoke and I looked up at him. I nodded.
" Please don't let the general know that I touched you or even talked to you" he said seriously but I however, nodded giving him a small smile. I then decided to take the opportunity to ask about Elias again.

" What about the general?" I asked, still very much worried about him.
" Rest assured your highness. He is alright and would join us tonight, but if not, I and some of the men would go back to find him tomorrow. But I can promise you princess. Since you're here. He'll be here soon." He assured
" I must leave you now, he might be close by already" Theodosius said before walking away from me.

I sighed and looked around. I didn't want to think about the worst.

........

     I was in a very big tent and I felt anxious. Elias had still not showed up and it was dark already. Fires had been lit outside. I could hear the warriors talking and laughing casually outside the tent. They didn't seem worried at all and I tried to be as confident but I couldn't.

I had wanted to talk to Memwel but the warriors wouldn't let him anywhere near me. So I decided to remain in the tent. I just sat, waiting. They had given me food to eat but I couldn't eat much since my stomach felt tight.

I laid down as time went by. Just when my eyelids had began to turn heavy. Everywhere went completely silent and I opened my eyes wide immediately. Fear overwhelming me. I wondered what shut all the warriors up and just immediately, shouting took over the silence.

" The general.. the general is here" I heard. I hurried to my feet and ran out of the tent and then I stood. I easily spotted Elias who was still a little far from where we were camped. His body was stained with blood but he walked with a scary amount of strength and grace. He still looked very angry.. from whatever it was that happened where he was coming from.

I couldn't decide if I should run to him or hide away. I decided to do none, so I just stood there. His eyes finally landed on me and he was now walking straight towards me and I didn't know why but I was scared. He looked so dangerous and I inaudibly gulped.

He ignored all of his men and walked right straight to me. Before I could even try to speak, he pulled me flush against his body and hugged me. My heart raced at the sudden action but I was happy. I was glad he was alright. I waited but he wasn't pulling away.

" Elias" I whispered against his lower chest and he responded with a groan that vibrated throughout his body. I noticed his muscles were shaking even as he held me in his arms. I had no idea on what to do, so I just remained there silently, even though his tight grip hurt a little..

I thought he would let go, but no, this man wanted to hug me forever. When I couldn't take it anymore, I tried to move gently.
" Elias...." I called and he slowly withdrew. He stared down at me with worried eyes.

" Are you okay? Were you hurt?" He asked and I only shook my head and then nodded.
" I'm fine" I voiced. He sighed and then a deeper frown appeared on his face. I wanted to ask what happened, I was curious to know what happened to my father. However I didn't ask.

......

    Later that night, I learnt from Theodosius that Elias had not eaten for days now and I also noticed he had scars on his body, which had not healed yet. There was a particular one on his stomach to the right that caught my attention.

Elias had gone to wash himself and I had also washed off the ugly looking makeup, but I was still on the wedding dress. It was a mixture of gold and red in colour. The shoulders were puffed and it wasn't a big dress. The sleeves stopped right before my elbows. It was a dress that covered my body a lot.

I sat on the big sheets that had been spread out on the floor as a bed, waiting for Elias. Not long, he entered the tent, bending his head. I looked up at him and he just stared at me.

I couldn't believe how fast everything happened. Like, me getting married to Andrew and Elias coming to my rescue and now I'm here, camping in the forest, in the same tent as Elias.

" Princess" he spoke, his deep voice relaxing me in a way that I couldn't explain, and then he moved towards me. He sat down facing me.
" I apologise" he said causing me to raise my brows in confusion
" I was late. I.... I'm sorry" he added.

I smiled, a genuine smile, after so long.
" Thank you for coming for me. I lost hope and thought you wouldn't come for me" I confessed honestly dropping my gaze. We both fell silent but after a while he spoke.

" I feel something inside of me princess" he spoke and I looked up to meet his intense stare.

Hello everyone

I feel ashamed of myself for only just updating. So I'd like to apologise. I'm sorry. I fell sick and I couldn't even go to work either. I've been sick for days and only just resumed work today. So I came here to update as well...

I've been really really stressed out and I know I'm giving excuses but I'm really sorry.

Hope y'all are doing okay

I still do hope you like this chapter