Careless | A Powerless Fanfiction

Chapter 5: Paedyn

After an hour, we reached the base of the forest. I pull on the reins to stop the horse from continuing any further. The forest is too dense to keep the horse with us. Kai seems to realize that too as he slips from the saddle behind me.

Before I can dismount on my own, I feel his hands slip around my waist and gently place me on the ground beside the beast. I frown.

Kai hasn't said a word since we left the Imperials behind in the fields.

"What's wrong?" I hesitantly ask.

"They were my men Paedyn," He says softly.

"And if you wouldn't have done that, they would have done it to you," I gently reassure him. I can't imagine how he must feel but now is definitely not the time to try and play therapist and patient.

"We'll talk about this later. For now, let's get out of the open before someone else finds us," I quickly say.

"Yeah... you're right." Kai says before his hands find the reins of the horse. He begins to remove the reins and saddle before guiding the horse to run towards the Sanctuary of Souls.

"Let's go?" Kai asks, his hand outstretched, waiting for mine.

"Yeah," I said quietly before grabbing his hand. "Let's go."

We walk for an hour, making our way deep into the forest. "Let's stop here for today. We can figure out our next move tomorrow," Kai says. "I'll go find us something to eat. Maybe you could start us a fire in the meantime? You'll have to get dry wood fro-"

I cut him off. "Kai. I know how to start a fire."

"Yeah... okay. I'll be back." He says, lifting our entwined hands to his mouth, giving it a quick kiss before turning away.

I spend the next thirty minutes gathering materials and starting the fire. I hear leaves rustle behind me. In a matter of seconds, the dagger from my boot is pressed against a tan neck. Tired but amused silver eyes stare back at me. The dagger drops from Kai's neck before he slowly walks towards my little fire pit.

"Nice fire Gray," He chuckles. "Could have made it a bit bigger but I understand. If you wanted to cuddle, you could have just as-"

I cut him off with a swift elbow to the sternum. "Oops," I say with a mischievous smile.

He shakes his head at me smiling before skewering the dead rabbit in his hands and placing it above the fire. "I made sure to catch your favorite Gray," He says with a smile, dimples and all. He almost succeeded in distracting me. Almost. But I saw him wince as he shifted to sit back.

"What's wrong," I say, slowly making my way towards him.

"Nothing" He says quickly, angling towards me before shooting me a smile. "I'm perfectly fine."

I'm standing between his legs, inspecting his face. His cold hand runs up and down my side while the other is clenched in his lap. I'm about to turn around and walk away before the fire illuminates the back of his shirt. It's wet. Drenched... in blood.

"Kai," I breathe before moving to stand behind him. My fingers gently run across the bloodied area before grabbing the hem of his shirt and pulling it upwards.

His hands grab the front of his shirt before yanking it back down. "If you wanted to see me naked, Gray, you could have just asked," Kai says with a weak smirk.

"Kai, stop messing around and take your shirt off." I say, starting to get frustrated.

"Paedyn," He says, softly but sternly. "I'm fine."

I finally snap. "What the hell is your problem?!"