The Battle Of Hearts A Choice Between Power And Love

chapter 19 The Company And The Revelations

Annika's POV

I got up, feeling a little hazy from last night's activity. As I turned on the bed, I felt a warmth against my cheek. It was Philip, sleeping bare chest right beside me. He looked so calm in his sleep. I didn't want to wake him up from it. I rested my hand over his chest and I could feel the steady beating of his heart. I trailed my hands over the hairs of his chest. He seemed to make some incoherent noise that resembled a whimper in his sleep.

His hair was dishevelled, yet it looked perfect it its own messy way. It reminded me of all that he did to me last night. Just the thought of it made me feel tingly all over my skin. It brought a faint blush over my cheeks as I remembered him calling out my name in that breathless and deep voice of his.

Unable to resist the simple temptation of it, I ran my hands through his hair. He seemed to subconsciously tilt his head towards me. He turned and his face was right in front of mine. My eyes landed on his lips and I was instantly reminded on how soft they felt on mine yesterday. His hand wrapped around my waist as he pulled me close to him. I could feel him, the blood from my face drain it of its colour, as I felt him against me. He was still asleep, yet I couldn't help but turn scarlet at the feeling of him against me. I closed my eyes as embarrassment flooded my being and I opened my eyes as I felt his warm hands on my cheek, giving it a gentle caress. His eyelids fluttered as he rubbed his eyes, seeming to have finally woken up from his sweet slumber.

"Ah, you seem to have woken up early toady Annika" his voice was horse as he spoke. The way he said my name in that lazy, eased-back morning voice of his made me smile.

"Well, not everyone is a sleepy-head like you Philip" I joked. I couldn't resist it. I chuckled and to my surprise, he joined in.

"Can you blame me for taking my beauty sleep?" he said in a playful voice.

"Ha ha, beauty sleep indeed! You did look so calm and beautiful while you were asleep!" I said. He arched an eyebrow and the sides of his lips twitched up.

"And what about now, my princess?" he asked.

"Oh, now you look quite good" I replied.

"Oh dear, is 'quite good' all I get?" he asked playfully as he gripped my hips. "Not even a little handsome, is it?" he asked, to which I smiled.

"Maybe" I said, being deliberately vague in a playful way. He tilted his head to the side.

"Maybe?" he asked, with a smile.

"Yeah, maybe" I smiled back.

The horns were blown, which were meant to wake all of us up to get ready to leave for our return to Rajputana.

"Well, that's our sign to get ready Philip" I said. He gave me a little frown.

"I don't want to get up! Not when I have you right next to me! Can't we just go back to sleep - or better, can I get a morning cuddle, my princess?" he whined like a little child and showed puppy eyes.

"Puppy eyes won't work on me general!" I said.

"Oh, is that it?" he said, rolling on top of me and successfully pinning me below him.

"Hey! That's unfair!" I exclaimed.

"No, it is! Haven't you heard? Everything's fair in love and war!" he said playfully.

"Someone is going to walk in if we both keep staying in - you know" I point out our current 'situation'.

"But why would anyone walk into the tent? Ever heard of the word 'privacy'?" he said, sounding like a spoilt brat. I chuckled.