BORDER

Chapter Twelve

NERISSA

The smell of ashes caresses my senses. I inhale it deeply, clinging onto the manly scent. I love it. I know I have to be dreaming because no one smells that good. I open my eyes to see the black leather jacket that Anakin wore earlier wrapped around my body. His sleeve pressed against my lips.

It hits me that I am not home, we are in a little inn. I sit up and glance at the rugged man in front of me. Fire emerges from the once barren fireplace as Anakin sits on a stool next to it. The pan in his hands indicates that he is cooking something. He does not notice me for a minute until I let out a tired yawn.

When I'm done stretching, I meet his eyes but he turns away from me, quickly. As if he is appalled by me or afraid of me. I can not possibly believe my eyes. The monster before me is afraid of me. It makes me giggle and shake my head, slipping out the bed, I shoot him a quick good morning before entering the bathroom. I make sure to lock the door behind me.

There's a small closet attached to the bathroom and it has an even smaller dresser inside of it. I attempt to rummage through it for something. There's nothing besides a comb, toothpaste, and a toothbrush that looks like it was last used three centuries ago. My nose scrunches up in disgust.

There's enough toothpaste for a couple more brushes and though it may be disgusting, I refuse to not keep up with good dental hygiene. I swipe a squeeze onto my finger before rubbing at my teeth and gums. The minty toothpaste almost feels like I'm back at home. When I am done, I feel a little closer to Phanes. Fluffing my hair, there is a loud bang on my door.

"Join me." Not a please or a word of generosity is involved in his two word statement.

"No," I reply, simply and uninterested. He knocks on the door again, anyway. "Go away, Anakin. I do not want to speak with you at this time nor would I care to dine with you."

"You need to eat something. As soon as possible." His tone holds so much anger it could wake all of Etna with this amount of negativity.

"You do not order me to do anything. You do not command me for nothing. Like you said, I'm nothing but a pawn in your game, anyways and I choose not to participate at this time." I keep my tone elegant and classy.

The next thing I know, the door is broken down. I flinch at the loud cracking noise as it splinters open. Anakin's full hands grip my arms and he throws me over his hard, muscular, shoulder. His wings hitting my face as he does so. I punch limply against his back in protest.

He sits me down. "Eat."

"No!" I yell back.

Anakin gives me a look before he resumes eating. I eye him down for a long moment and then pick up the fruit and tea. I do not eat the meat he provides, though. Unsure as to where he got it and how it lost its poor life.

He is so hot and cold.

"When are we leaving?"

He stares at me. "When you finish stuffing those pretty plump lips of yours, you can't seem to keep shut them for the life of you."

"Yes, because it is my mouth and I'll do as I seek best for it." I say with a smug smirk on my face before rolling my eyes. Anakin has whatever mystery meat hanging out of his mouth. He swallows it down before shrugging.

"Maybe you should make your holes more useful then." His comment silences as anger blooms in my cheeks.

Once finished, I storm out of the room without saying a word. He follows after me, now completely dressed.