The Captain's Entertainer (Zolan Book 4)

10

🌊 ELYSTIA 🌊

When I awake, my senses all come in at once. Darkness in my sight, a familiar spice in my nose, the rapid beating of my heart in my ears, and the touch of a bare male chest.

I blink rapidly as if that would reveal his face. "C—Captain. I must apologize. I..."

When I sleepwalk, I have no rational inhibition. No sense of danger. I'm pulled toward anything that grabs my attention, and The Captain's tent is like another world to discover. I wanted to meet the mysterious man that walks through fire.

Now I know. His skin burns hot and his breath is warm as it blows against the hairs framing my face. Hot like the fire he walks through.

"You could have been killed," he grits, his voice husky from sleep.

"Sometimes I do things in my sleep that I don't mean. I'm sorry," I rant.

"Get out," he says, although his firm hands find my hips and tell me otherwise.

I take a shaky step backward, setting my hands on his, which remain on my hips. Why isn't he letting me go? His lips just ordered me to leave, but his hands counter the order.

"Cap—Captain." I squeeze his wrists. They're massive. This is an inconsequential detail that makes my heart beat faster. Because it makes me wonder how massive the rest of him is.

He releases me and steps backwards. His steps on the carpet are too quiet for a man his size. He's like a thief in the night. And tonight, he stole whatever last bit of sleepiness I had left. I will be up all night.

There are no more words exchanged as I turn and run out of the massive tent, the lingering smell of toucha spice following me. It's a common salty spice used in cooking. Why is it so striking?

(A/N: it's striking because she used it to cook his meal earlier in the day.)

I burst into my tent and find Sidra pacing inside, a small candle lit on the floor.

"Where were you?" We blurt at the same time.

"I went to the outhouse!" Sidra says first. "I'm sorry. I took the wrong path and got lost. Things look different at night. Where were you?"

"I sleepwalked!" I slump in my bed and grab the rope tied around my bedpost.

In my sleepwalking state, it would take too much effort to untie the knots. I would likely give up. While it's uncomfortable having to be tied down like an animal, this will keep me away from the beast's den. Something tells me the Captain won't be as kind if I trespass into his tent again. Or maybe it's not a matter of kindness. Maybe what I should be concerned with is my safety.

The master that earned himself the title of Captain, who is responsible for the lives of everyone in the camp and the city might not have my best interest in mind. The way his fingers dug into my hips... I've never been held that way by a male, but I don't think it was a platonic touch. Something heavy had weighed the air.

Stop. You're being ridiculous.

I jerk the rope. "Help me tie these knots. Make sure they're tight."

Sidra nods eagerly. "I'm so sorry. Did anything happen?"

I shake my head. "It's not your fault."

I decide not to tell her about my meeting with our leader. There's no need to worry her.

She takes the rope and ties it tightly. I tug at it and sigh in relief. There's no way I'm escaping these knots. I'm safe.

"Thanks Sidra."